Legend

Legend by Gediminas Karalius (b. 1942) is an interpretation of the story of Gediminas’ dream, one of several models for a monument commemorating the founding of Vilnius. The theme of Gediminas’ dream has been popular since 1918. Portraits of Gediminas, the Columns of Gediminas, images of the Upper Castle, and the howling iron wolf, were a visual expression of a unifying goal for interwar Lithuanian society, associating it with the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and its capital, which belonged to Poland at that time. The narrative of Gediminas’ dream became the most important visual symbol in the struggle for Vilnius between 1918 and 1939. The iron wolf emerged as a symbol of patriotism, strength and solidarity in interwar Lithuania. Possibly due to its fairy-tale nature, the theme of Gediminas’ dream was tolerated by the Soviet censors. During the Sąjūdis period, themes promoting patriotism and statehood gained prominence. Karalius’ Legend was created at that time. It seems that the artist was aiming to create a sculptural counterpart to the collective imagery in the public consciousness. He moved away from realistic depiction, and used repetitive, stylised forms to convey metaphorically an impression of the iron wolf and its howling. In 1990 he wrote in a catalogue: ‘We, artists, citizens of Lithuania, should look for ways to FACE the Nation and to perpetuate its memory in our works, its past, victories, losses, sufferings, and the deeds of its great men.’* Concentrating great power on a small scale, Legend can be considered a visual expression of this intention.

Text author Jurgita Ludavičienė

* Gediminas Karalius. Skulptūra / piešiniai, katalogas. Vilnius, Lietuvos dailės parodų direkcija, Lietuvos dailės fondas, 1990.

Legend by Gediminas Karalius (b. 1942) is an interpretation of the story of