“A Woman in Yellow. The Retrospective and Inspirations of Antanas Samuolis (1899–1942)”

The exhibition “A Woman in Yellow. The Retrospective and Inspirations of Antanas Samuolis (1899–1942)”, dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the birth of painter Antanas Samuolis.

This comprehensive exhibition dedicated to Antanas Samuolis, one of the most famous Lithuanian artists of the early 20th century, is held at the M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art after a 25-year break. In terms of its scope and the number of works, it does not equal the previous review exhibitions. This retrospection features 45 works by Samuolis selected from various museums and private collections. The artefacts for the exhibition have been presented by nine memory institutions, private museums such as the Mo and “Tartle”, “The Room” gallery, private collectors, and more than thirty artists or their families. The National Gallery of Art in Vilnius has agreed to lend the painting “The White Apple Tree” – the pride of its permanent exhibition.

Samuolis‘ creative period lasted for about seven years, he died young and his legacy amounts to just a little over fifty paintings. But his work has had an incredible influence on several generations of artists and continues to be a source of inspiration. "That is why, – says Director General Daina Kamarauskienė, – we are delighted to be able to present the most important works  by Samuolis in one exhibition, and to showcase the works of contemporary artists who have been inspired by his iconic painting “A Woman in Yellow”. A part of the exhibition is dedicated to the painter‘s relative – a woman of exotic beauty who has become the model for a famous portrait. Visitors will learn many things concerning her personality, her life and incredibly interesting activities she has been involved in. The exhibition presents an abundant photographic documentation, her personal belongings and artworks. Alongside, a number of works by  contemporary artists who created under the influence of the optimistic colour yellow, the image of a woman or a red flower. Many authors participating in the exhibition acknowledge Samuolis to have become almost a mythical figure, a "god" and a tuning fork for their work. 42 artists present direct references or further paraphrases of this painting. In a separate space, visitors will be able to watch Audrius Novickas' installation “A Woman Divided in a Half” (2015 / 2024).

While preparing for the exhibition, a number of research related to different moments of the artist‘s creation or life has been performed. Interesting facts, discovered by the specialists of the P. Gudynas Restoration Centre through the radiographs and physico-chemical tests, will be presented to the viewers.

A large educational space will provide the possibility for visitors to relax, create and sense Samuolis' work, besides, anyone wishing to become a "model" will be able to pose surrounded by the atmosphere of the portrait and experience the inspiration for a drawing, a painting or a photograph.

Curators: Genovaitė Bartulienė, Inesa Kuliavaitė-Čepaitienė
Architects: Rasa Butiškytė, Saulius Valius
Designer: Julija Tolvaišytė-Leonavičienė

The main information partner LRT Plius
Organizer: M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art
Main partner: Lithuanian National Museum of Art
Partners and friends: Pranas Gudynas Restoration Centre; the Museum of Vilnius Academy of Arts; the MO Museum; the Lithuanian Art Centre “Tartle“; the Jonava Regional Museum; the Zarasai Region Museum; the Maironis Museum of Lithuanian Literature; the Lithuanian Archives of Literature and Art; the Kaunas Regional State Archives; the Gallery AIDAS; the Gallery “Room”; private persons / collectors: Gintaras Balčiūnas, Dr. Jaunius Gumbis, Andrius Jankauskas, Jonas Venckūnas and others.
The project has been partially funded by: the Lithuanian Council for Culture; the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania.