Published: 20231215
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania retrieved the most distinguished culture and art professionals. The prize for museum work was awarded to cultural historian dr. Ieva Kuizinienė.
Dr. Ieva Kuizinienė, Chief Cultural Historian of the Department of Cultural History Research of the Palace in the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, is one of the most famous researchers of historical textiles in Lithuania. In recent years, she has summarised the results of her research, and museum activities in a substantial monograph, in a scientific catalogue presenting the collection of tapestries of the Palace of the Grand Dukes, as well as in scientific publications published in the most prestigious Lithuanian scientific journals and international exhibition catalogues. Actively involved in the search for identification, research and presentation of Lithuanian treasures scattered around the world, Dr. I. Kuizinienė focuses on the tapestries, carpets, and other historical textiles collected in the residence of the Lithuanian rulers.
In 2023, Dr. I. Kuizinienė actively participated in the preparation of the international exhibition "The Tapestries of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius", a unique exhibition in the history of Lithuanian museology. She was a consultant for the exhibition and provided new historical data from the Lithuanian historical context, proving that the collection of the tapestries of the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Sigismund Augustus (1544/1548-1572), was an integral part of the Lithuanian heritage.
The Sigismund Augustus Tapestry Collection is considered to be one of the world's most valuable collections of monumental artistic fabrics and is an invaluable collection of 16th-century fabrics from Lithuania's common heritage with Poland, revealing the representational ambitions of the last ruler of the Gediminids-Jagellion dynasty – the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania, and recalling the golden age of Krakow and Vilnius – the Age of Renaissance.
It is the historical research carried out by Dr. I. Kuizinienė, summarised in the scientific monograph published in 2021, "The Tapestries of Sigismund Augustus. Their History and Role" (Vilnius: National Museum - Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, 2021) has provided a basis for the connection of the Sigismund Augustus Tapestry Collection with Vilnius. The researcher has carefully collected data from historical sources and has argued that the first orders for artistic fabrics were made when Sigismund Augustus was the Grand Duke of Lithuania and residing in Vilnius. These works were intended for the decoration of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in the Lower Castle of Vilnius. The researcher's findings not only confirmed the connection of the tapestry collection of Sigismund Augustus with Lithuania, but also revealed the previously little-known history of the formation of art collections in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
Minister of Culture Simonas Kairys, in awarding the prize, said that he appreciated Dr. I. Kuizinienė's contribution to the formation of the collection of tapestries in the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes , which today not only perfectly represents the historical artistic fabrics of the last dynasties of the Jagellion and the Vasa dynasties, but also is the largest collection of monumental old textiles in Lithuania. The Minister of Culture congratulated the most outstanding culture and art professionals and said, "Dear Laureates, thanks to you we live in a better, brighter and happier country. This makes it easier for us to remain optimistic and hopeful even in these difficult times."
Dr. Vydas Dolinskas, General Director of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, congratulating dr. I. Kuizinienė, said that "she greatly appreciates her scientific authority and competence, because it is to her credit that the textile collections of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and their rulers have emerged as an important phenomenon of the cultural maturity of the Lithuanian art world. In addition, the researcher helped to form, research and publicise the cultural, art and history collection of the National Museum, paying particular attention to the treasures of old textiles".
She actively participates in the publicity activities of the Museum's collections, delivers public lectures, participates in discussions, leads thematic excursions, and organises seminars to improve the qualifications of teachers. She has also prepared and published publications on science popularisation, presentations of textile art treasures for the virtual exhibition "Exhibit of the Week" at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.
The Ministry of Culture awards two prizes each year for the most significant works in museology or the restoration of museum objects over the last 3 years. One prize is awarded to a museum worker and the other to a restorer.
Photos by Gintarė Grigėnaitė
