The flight into Egypt

Pranas Domšaitis chose instantly recognisable themes that are common in Christian iconography, translating Bible stories into the artistic language of the 20th century, and presenting them in an original and moderate Expressionist style. The frequently portrayed story of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt in his hands became a rationally purified allegory of mankind, which went through two world wars, and a metaphor for his own restless life. In these compositions, the foreboding of danger is expressed impressively with a minimum of artistic devices, just the dark contours of the drawing, and the dynamic shapes, brushstrokes and colours.

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: “Always on the Road. Paintings from Private Collections”, 12 June – 27 July 2015, M. Žilinskas Art Gallery, Kaunas

Pranas Domšaitis chose instantly recognisable themes that are common in Christian iconography, translating Bible stories into the artistic language of the 20th century, and presenting them in an original and moderate Expressionist style. The frequently portrayed story of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt in his hands became a rationally purified allegory of mankind, which went through two world wars, and a metaphor for his own restless life. In these compositions, the foreboding of danger is expressed impressively with a minimum of artistic devices, just the dark contours of the drawing, and the dynamic shapes, brushstrokes and colours.

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: “Always on the Road. Paintings from Private Collections”, 12 June – 27 July 2015, M. Žilinskas Art Gallery, Kaunas