Mstislav Dobuzhinsky

Mstislav Dobuzhinsky (1875–1957) - an outstanding Russian artist, Lithuania was his second homeland. For some time M. Dobuzhinsky lived in St. Petersburg and belonged to the World of Art group, oriented towards Western culture. In 1923 he received Lithuanian citizenship; from since 1929 he supervised the Studio of Graphic and Decorative Arts at the Kaunas Theatrical School. He created scenography for 38 plays: including dramas, operas and ballets at the State Theatre in Kaunas. He drew old Lithuanian churches and monasteries – not only in Kaunas and Vilnius, but in other small towns as well: Kėdainiai, Marijampolė, Seda, Tytuvėnai, Ukmergė, Varniai and still others. He took keen interest in Lithuania’s cultural legacy and Lithuanian folk art. In 1939 he left for London to organise a private exhibition but was unable to return to Lithuania because of the war. He then lived in Paris and subsequently moved to the USA. He was buried in Paris.

Reference: Art album "The World of Landscapes" (Volume I). Compiled by N. Tumėnienė. Vilnius, LAWIN, 2010, P. 52.