The Vilnia

Series ‘Vilnius 1925’.

Traditional Japanese ukiyo-e woodcuts were a source of inspiration to Ossecki. Like many other artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he appreciated the workmanship, the precision and the flamboyance which Japanese artists achieved by printing different colours from the same block of wood. The influence of Japanese engravings is clear in this woodcut, which portrays the River Vilnia from the Bernardine Gardens, with the Park of Hills above the river, and Bekešas Hill in the centre. The picture is dark and sombre, and the fragmented composition, the simple lines and the graceful silhouettes of the trees and hills betray an Oriental influence. This woodcut is dichromatic: the view is printed in black, and the sky, becoming clearer towards the horizon, is a pale russet colour. This style of expression was favoured by masters of ukiyo-e.

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album VILNIUS. TOPOPHILIA II (2015). Compiler and author Laima Laučkaitė
Expositions: “Vilnius. Topophilia. Views of Vilnius from the collection of the law firm Ellex Valiunas”, 5 October – 26 November 2017, National Gallery of Art, Vilnius (curator Laima Laučkaitė). ‘Vilnius Forever. A Dialogue of Artworks and Guides to the City’, 25 May 2022 – 30 April 2023 Lithuanian Art Centre TARTLE (Užupio St. 40, Vilnius). Curator Laima Laučkaitė.

Series ‘Vilnius 1925’.

Traditional Japanese ukiyo-e woodcuts were a source of inspiration to Ossecki. Like many other artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he appreciated the workmanship, the precision and the flamboyance which Japanese artists achieved by printing different colours from the same block of wood. The influence of Japanese engravings is clear in this woodcut, which portrays the River Vilnia from the Bernardine Gardens, with the Park of Hills above the river, and Bekešas Hill in the centre. The picture is dark and sombre, and the fragmented composition, the simple lines and the graceful silhouettes of the trees and hills betray an Oriental influence. This woodcut is dichromatic: the view is printed in black, and the sky, becoming clearer towards the horizon, is a pale russet colour. This style of expression was favoured by masters of ukiyo-e.

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album VILNIUS. TOPOPHILIA II (2015). Compiler and author Laima Laučkaitė
Expositions: “Vilnius. Topophilia. Views of Vilnius from the collection of the law firm Ellex Valiunas”, 5 October – 26 November 2017, National Gallery of Art, Vilnius (curator Laima Laučkaitė). ‘Vilnius Forever. A Dialogue of Artworks and Guides to the City’, 25 May 2022 – 30 April 2023 Lithuanian Art Centre TARTLE (Užupio St. 40, Vilnius). Curator Laima Laučkaitė.