Exhibition “Colors of Restlessness: Painting from the Collection of Violeta and Romanas Raulynaitis”
Date: March 2024
Location: Vilniaus rotušė
Violeta and Romanas Raulynaitis, both alumni of Vilnius University, began their art collection following their studies and involvement in restoring the homestead of Jonas Basanavičius in Ožkabaliai, where they lived for a while. Upon returning to Vilnius, their passion for Lithuanian history and culture led them to collect artworks. Their collection started to take shape in the late 20th century, as their relationships with artists refined their artistic taste, aesthetic priorities, and values.
The Raulynaitis Collection naturally evolved into a repository of Lithuanian art. It includes a significant number of late 19th-century to early 20th-century folk sculptures (“šventukai”), some of which were rescued from destruction or decay. A major part of the collection consists of contemporary art from the latter half of the 20th century and the early 21st century—paintings, sculptures, graphic works, photographs, and various art objects.
Violeta Raulynaitienė reflects on the impact of her background: “From birth, our characters and tastes are formed, and we develop a need for beauty and art. Some are born into artist families and find art natural, while others discover the art world independently. I was fortunate to have a vibrant circle of relatives and friends who were involved in art, and I spent much time in the Old Town, where colorful personalities frequented cafés like ‘Žibutė’, ‘Vaiva’, and ‘Ledainė’. One of my first art purchases was a graphic work by Šarūnas Leonavičius, acquired in the ‘Ledainės’ courtyard.”
Romanas Raulynaitis treasures his interactions with artists: “Artists become my teachers. My current professors include Birutė Žilytė, Valentinas Antanavičius, Mindaugas Navakas, Petras Mazūras, Jonas Gasiūnas, Mindaugas Skudutis, Žilvinas Landzbergas, Saulė Kisarauskienė, and Petras Repšys. I am curious not just about their work but about its creation and context. The time spent with these people, their stories, and their charm fascinate me. The biggest mystery is what brings together talented individuals and how they are drawn to each other.”
The exhibition “Colors of Restlessness” presents only a small portion of the Raulynaitis Collection. The theme of the exhibition has been influenced by the ongoing war in Ukraine, prompting a deeper examination of the connection between history and the present. The collectors actively engage with Ukrainian artists and museum professionals, offering support and visiting Ukraine to honor the history and culture of a country enduring turbulent times. This existential restlessness is reflected in the works of various generations of Lithuanian artists featured in the exhibition, including Valentinas Antanavičius, Jonas Gasiūnas, Vincas Kisarauskas, Sigita Maslauskaitė, Henrikas Natalevičius, Šarūnas Sauka, Alonas Štelmanas, Vaidotas Žukas, and others.
Curator: Helmutas Šabasevičius
