Salomėja

Author: Arbitblatas Neemija, 1908 - 1999

Created: 1929 m. 

Material / technique: oil on canvas.

Dimensions: 100.00 x 79.50 cm.

Signature: VD: N. Arbitblat/ Paris 1929.

Although ARBIT BLATAS (1908–1999) did not study at Kaunas Art School, he brought new ideas to the Kaunas art scene. He never received a state scholarship, but studied art in Paris at his own expense at the Académie Julian and the Académie de la Grande Chaumičre, and so enjoyed much more freedom in his career. Following the Paris fashion, Blatas opened the first private art gallery in Kaunas,bringing the cultural life of the interim capital closer to the Western way of life. In 1932 and 1933, he put on exhibitions of works by young artists, both Lithuanians and other nationalities (mostly Jewish). He had to close the gallery due to a short age of money, and left for Paris.

Reference: "Kaunas-Vilnius 1918-1945”, The Art collection of the law firm Ellex Valiunas. Compilars D. Barcytė, dr. I. Burbaitė. Vilnius, 2021, P. 180. 

Photo: Letter from Arbit Blato to E. Armoška.

Published: Tumėnienė, N. (2008). „16th-21st centuries of Lithuanian art exposure: Exhibition of Edmundas Armoška's art collection“ (p. 43). Vilnius: Lithuanian Art Museum; Litvak art in private Lithuanian collections. Gradinskaitė, V. (2015). Vilnius: Lewben Art Foundation, Lithuanian Diaspora Art Foundation, VšĮ „Šiaurės Jeruzalė“, p. 46-47; "Kaunas-Vilnius 1918-1945”, The Art collection of the law firm Ellex Valiunas. Compilars D. Barcytė, dr. I. Burbaitė. Vilnius, 2021, P. 181.