Stanisław Jarocki, Antakalnis

Stanislaw Jarocki (1872-1944)
Antakalnis
1903, drb., al, 89,5 × 100
Signed. AD: St. Jarocki / 1903 / Vilnius

TESTIMONY OF LOVE FOR VILNIUS
Stanisław Jarocki was a true patriot of Lithuania and Vilnius, although he was born in Warsaw and studied art in Warsaw, Kraków, Paris, Munich and Rome. Since 1898, he has lived permanently in Vilnius, taking an active part in the public life of the city, and has grown accustomed to the rhythm of life in the city. His respect for Lithuania's past was reflected in his local history, pedagogical and archaeological activities, numerous publications about Vilnius and its surroundings, and his attention to nature and historical monuments. Jarockis was a member of the Vilnius Society of Friends of Science, the Vilnius branch of the Polish Society of Local History and other organisations, and he restored the Chapel of St. Casimir in Vilnius Cathedral. The artist's work is classified as Neo-Romantic Realism, which was most beautifully expressed in landscapes, still lifes, genre and historical paintings.
This landscape is a reflection of the artist's love for the city and his patriotic attitude. Viewed from above, from Gediminas Hill towards Antakalnis, it covers a wide panorama of Vilnius, with the graceful curve of the Neris River and the old architecture immersed in lush vegetation. The artist's unhurried gaze descends down towards the Old Arsenal and the Church of St Peter and Paul rising in the distance, as if from above, and sees the silhouette of the magnificent Sapiegas Palace. The composition of the landscape resembles the stage set of a play, it is based on an effective contrast - the pale greenish panorama of Antakalnis penetrates through the masterfully painted colourful maple cherry trees. Early autumn. The dark green foliage of the maple trees, into which the leaves have begun to blush and turn yellow, is very painterly, no less important than the panorama in the distance. It demonstrates the artist's extraordinary talent, and at the same time enhances the bright image of Antakalnis, accentuates the mystical aura of the city and gives it a romantic charm. Looking more closely, we try to recognise historical buildings and narrow streets, but to no avail, because in the painting, reality is intertwined with fantasy; the painter is not trying to document the environment, but rather to convey the spirit of Vilnius - noble and harmonious. In order to reveal the special beauty of the city, he turns the bend of the river more to the left, slightly regroups the historical buildings, and emphasises the high horizon with the Sapieginė hills, which are transformed into a blue band of majestic mountains, reminiscent of the southern lands. The painting is rich in a sense of space and air, and the contrasting whole seems very influential, thanks to the sunshine and the distinctive greenish-yellow colouring. The painting has a very contemporary look, as if it were painted in our day.
Dr. Lijana Natalevičienė