Author: Alchimowicz Kazimierz, 1840 - 1916
Created: 1879.
Material / technique: oil on canvas.
Dimensions: 37.5x29.5 cm.
Signature: Alchimowicz 1879 (in the top-left corner of the painting).
In the early 19th century, starting with Jan Rustem and his pupils, Lithuanian art developed a tendency towards exotic but not necessarily remote places. Artists sought to depict colourful scenes in the life of the Jews or the Roma who lived in small towns in Lithuania, and to capture their dress and the different types. The same trend could be observed in Poland and in other European countries, as a manifestation of the interest in different layers of society in the Romantic era, and the mysterious habits of people who lived nearby and kept themselves to themselves. The picture Gipsy woman by KAZIMIERZ ALCHIMOWICZ (1840–1916) follows this tradition. This small portrait study is painted in a sure and free hand. Not only has the artist succeeded in rendering with tactile realism what kind of young woman she is, and showing her colourful attire, the scarf over her head and her exotic neckpiece, he has also captured her mood and penetrated her character, and the freedom and defiance of her bearing.
Reference: "RES PUBLICA" The art collection of the law firm Ellex Valiunas. Compiler R. Jononienė. Vilnius, 2018, P. 160.
Exhibitions: "Malarstwo polskie XIX wieku / Wystawa w Muzeum Wielkopolskiem", 1932 m., Poland; "The painter of pagan Lithuania Kazimieras Alchimavičius", 29 October 2020 - 13 December, 2020. Vilnius Picture Gallery.
Published: Catalogue of the XXXII Vilnius Auction. Art Market agency, 30 May 2014, Cat. No. 16, P. 12; "RES PUBLICA" The art collection of the law firm Ellex Valiunas. Compiler R. Jononienė. Vilnius, 2018, P. 161, Cat. No. 4, P. 213.
Photographs: display in the exhibition "The painter of pagan Lithuania Kazimieras Alchimavičius", 29 October 2020 - 13 December, 2020. Vilnius Picture Gallery.