The exposition of V. K. Jonynas Gallery

In 1944, artist V. K. Jonynas (1907–1997) left for Freiburg, the French-occupied territory, later moved to the United States. One of the most prolific Lithuanian artists donated to Lithuania the largest part of his oeuvre – paintings, graphic artworks, book illustrations, stained glass panels, and sculptures which are exhibited in Druskininkai at V. K. Jonynas Gallery (architect A. Kančas). Here you can also take a view of the artist’s private space with various authentic objects on display.

The western part of the building on the ground floor has been structured to arrange a study in which V. K. Jonynas used to work during his summertime visits from 1989 to 1997. The furnishing of the room illustrates the fashion of the late 20th century – the parquet flooring, the design of walls, ceiling, windows, the door, and chandeliers. Here you can view sketches of sacral buildings placed on the table, and draft drawings exhibited on the walls: (left to right): The Interior and Stained Glass Projects for the Chapel of Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam (USA) (tracing paper, pencil); The Finishing Project of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Pennsylvania (USA) (tracing paper, pencil, 1971); A Duplicate of the Project of a Sacral Building (paper); Draft Drawings of Liturgical Items for the Lithuanian Catholic Church of Divine Providence in Michigan (USA) (paper, pencil, 1973).

V. K. Jonynas’ bedroom is located in the eastern part of the gallery. The interior design is typical of the 1970s and 1980s, you can get a look at a popular at that time set of furniture chosen by V. K. Jonynas himself. A portrait of Giedra, the daughter of Vytautas Kazimieras and his wife Janina Kazimiera, is hung on the wall by the bed. The artist’s personal belongings are exhibited on the table with a mirror: his glasses, a prayer book, a photo album given as a gift by the relatives on his 70th birthday. Beside the bed, you will notice a suitcase and a stick carved out of wood – the main travel attributes. Works of art by V. K. Jonynas and his second wife, the artist, adorn the walls of the room: from the left – a watercolour painting “A Windmill at the Sea Gulf” (1970), a watercolour and ink composition by Irena Griežė-Jonynienė, and a wood carving “The Descent from the Cross” (1950) by V. K. Jonynas.

V. K. Jonynas’ studio was arranged in the attic of the first floor, on the western part of the gallery, The authentic furnishing retains the fashion of the late 20th century – the parquet flooring, the design of walls, ceiling, windows, the door and a source of light. A special platform for the posers has been designed by the window. Here you can see the personal belongings of the artist: a grey box to keep the artworks safely while traveling long distances, a small dark red chest of drawers, a folder of natural leather for drawing and painting tools, and V. K. Jonynas’ easel suitable to use in the studio and for out-of-doors painting. The work “Longing for Green Meadows”, created after his visit to Dzūkija, is exhibited on the easel. In various periods of time, the room was gladly used by different artists. In 2004, during the Plein air painting season “Raigardas” in Druskininkai, the studio became a temporary residence for the artist Stasys Eidrigevičius.