The Vilnia in Užupis

Adam Międzyblocki (1883–1956), a famous watercolourist and master of townscapes in the interwar period, produced many pictures of the Old Town. In this watercolour, the River Vilnia separates two parts of the city, Užupis on the right bank, and Safjaniki (or Tymo) on the left bank. Both quarters are cluttered with tumbledown structures, and both have steep banks that have been eroded by the river; although on the Užupis side some reinforcements to the slope can be discerned. Higher up, between the two banks of the river, is Saviour Hill, the Missionaries’ monastery, and the graceful gleaming towers of its Baroque church. This rich watercolour was painted quickly and clearly. Międzyblocki used the strong contrast between light and shade to express the rippling of water and the happy impression of a sunny day in summer.

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album VILNIUS. TOPOPHILIA I (2014). 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.

Adam Międzyblocki (1883–1956), a famous watercolourist and master of townscapes in the interwar period, produced many pictures of the Old Town. In this watercolour, the River Vilnia separates two parts of the city, Užupis on the right bank, and Safjaniki (or Tymo) on the left bank. Both quarters are cluttered with tumbledown structures, and both have steep banks that have been eroded by the river; although on the Užupis side some reinforcements to the slope can be discerned. Higher up, between the two banks of the river, is Saviour Hill, the Missionaries’ monastery, and the graceful gleaming towers of its Baroque church. This rich watercolour was painted quickly and clearly. Międzyblocki used the strong contrast between light and shade to express the rippling of water and the happy impression of a sunny day in summer.

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album VILNIUS. TOPOPHILIA I (2014). 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.