Crucifix with the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Mary Magdalene (recto). Our Lady of the Rosary gives Rosaries to St Dominic and St Catherine of Siena (verso)

Late 18th–early 19th century; late 19th–early 20th century.

On one side of this processional picture from the collection, there is a painting of a symbolic scene of handing Rosaries to St Dominic and St Catherine of Siena. In this composition, which in other ways is typical, the saints receiving the presents are pictured in the reverse order: St Dominic is usually pictured on the left, and St Catherine of Siena on the right side of the picture. This and other features of the work make it similar to the late 18th-century portable altar preserved at Žemaičių Kalvarija. The Crucifix with the figures of the grieving women was completely repainted in a different style by a different painter, and at the same time a part of the composition was changed: the drawing and brushwork of the figures is absolutely different, while only some details of the former inscriptions and the ornamented shield remain against the dark background. Judging by the style of the repainting, the figures are also connected with the artistic heritage of Žemaičių Kalvarija: the wall paintings in the large Chapel of the Crucifixion on the Stations of the Cross are thought to have been painted by the folk artist Kazimieras Varnelis (1871–1945) from Alsėdžiai. These connections lead us to the conclusion that this picture, was painted and used in a church near Žemaičių Kalvarija or Alsėdžiai.

Text author Dalia Vasiliūnienė

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album HEAVEN AND BEYOND (2016). Compiler Dalia Vasiliūnienė. Text authors Dalia Vasiliūnienė, Skaidrė Urbonienė
Expositions: "St Dominic and St Hyacinth in Lithuania: Eight Centuries of Memory", 17 August 2021 – 29 January 2022, Church Heritage Museum, Vilnius. Curator of the exhibition Birutė Valečkaitė.

Late 18th–early 19th century; late 19th–early 20th century.

On one side of this processional picture from the collection, there is a painting of a symbolic scene of handing Rosaries to St Dominic and St Catherine of Siena. In this composition, which in other ways is typical, the saints receiving the presents are pictured in the reverse order: St Dominic is usually pictured on the left, and St Catherine of Siena on the right side of the picture. This and other features of the work make it similar to the late 18th-century portable altar preserved at Žemaičių Kalvarija. The Crucifix with the figures of the grieving women was completely repainted in a different style by a different painter, and at the same time a part of the composition was changed: the drawing and brushwork of the figures is absolutely different, while only some details of the former inscriptions and the ornamented shield remain against the dark background. Judging by the style of the repainting, the figures are also connected with the artistic heritage of Žemaičių Kalvarija: the wall paintings in the large Chapel of the Crucifixion on the Stations of the Cross are thought to have been painted by the folk artist Kazimieras Varnelis (1871–1945) from Alsėdžiai. These connections lead us to the conclusion that this picture, was painted and used in a church near Žemaičių Kalvarija or Alsėdžiai.

Text author Dalia Vasiliūnienė

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album HEAVEN AND BEYOND (2016). Compiler Dalia Vasiliūnienė. Text authors Dalia Vasiliūnienė, Skaidrė Urbonienė
Expositions: "St Dominic and St Hyacinth in Lithuania: Eight Centuries of Memory", 17 August 2021 – 29 January 2022, Church Heritage Museum, Vilnius. Curator of the exhibition Birutė Valečkaitė.