A Hundred Folk Ballads / Šimtas liaudies baladžių

Lithuanian artists often ventured into book illustration in the first half of the 20th century, driven not only by their artistic passion but also by financial considerations. Domicelė Tarabildienė (1912–1985), for instance, completed her studies in sculpture in Kaunas before refining her skills in the sculpture studio at the National Higher School of Decorative Arts in Paris. Despite her training in sculpture, she is best known as an illustrator of periodicals and books during the interwar period. For many emerging Lithuanian artists at that time, publishing provided a vital source of income, prompting them to accept any commissions. Tarabildienė was honoured with the State Savings Bank Prize in 1939 for her folk-style illustrations, executed in the grattage technique, for the folklore collection A Hundred Folk Ballads,compiled by Jonas Balys.

This recognition was not only proof of her professional skill, it also showed official preferences in the independent Republic of Lithuania. During this time, art that embraced and celebrated the nation’s identity, thereby fostering social cohesion, was viewed most favourably by the state. The moderate stylisation of folklore aligned perfectly with these priorities. It is worth noting that while Balys began to prepare his book during the period of independence, it was not published until 1941.

Text author Ieva Burbaitė

Lithuanian artists often ventured into book illustration in the first half of the 20th century, driven not only by their artistic passion but also by financial considerations. Domicelė Tarabildienė (1912–1985), for instance, completed her studies in sculpture in Kaunas before refining her skills in the sculpture studio at the National Higher School of Decorative Arts in Paris. Despite her training in sculpture, she is best known as an illustrator of periodicals and books during the interwar period. For many emerging Lithuanian artists at that time, publishing provided a vital source of income, prompting them to accept any commissions. Tarabildienė was honoured with the State Savings Bank Prize in 1939 for her folk-style illustrations, executed in the grattage technique, for the folklore collection A Hundred Folk Ballads,compiled by Jonas Balys.

This recognition was not only proof of her professional skill, it also showed official preferences in the independent Republic of Lithuania. During this time, art that embraced and celebrated the nation’s identity, thereby fostering social cohesion, was viewed most favourably by the state. The moderate stylisation of folklore aligned perfectly with these priorities. It is worth noting that while Balys began to prepare his book during the period of independence, it was not published until 1941.

Text author Ieva Burbaitė