Published: 20231229
On Christmas, the industrialist and patron Dr Pranas Kiznis generously presented a precious gift to the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania: six valuable works of Western European art dating from the 15th to the 17th centuries. These paintings, donated to the museum, were recently added to the Dr Pranas Kiznis Gallery, which occupies two rooms and can be visited on Route II. The museum now owns six of the twenty-six works on permanent display in the second hall of the gallery.
Pranas Kiznis expanded the collection of outstanding European artists from the 15th to 17th centuries to offer visitors a sense of the cultural spirit that flourished in the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. This collection was meticulously assembled through extensive searches in European auctions, antique shops, and private collections based on historical sources and in consultation with a group of art and cultural history specialists and restorers. It features works by famous European artists, including Michael Damaskenos, Adam van Noort, Jan Brueghel the Younger and Cornelis de Baellieur, Nicolo Rondinelli, Pacecco de Rosa, Mattia Preti, Orazio Samacchini, Giovanni Andrea de Ferrari, Giovani Baglione, Charles Dauphin, Lodewijk Toepur, known as il Pozzoserrato, Giampietro Silvio, Filippo Gagliardi, Jacopino del Conte, and others.
Upon presenting the gift, Dr Kiznis expressed his belief that every visitor to the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania perceives works of art differently. Nonetheless, he emphasized that his paramount importance lies in ensuring that the collection provides people with pleasure and enables them to discover the beauty of art. "I think that many things may go unnoticed by the visitor, but the impressions that linger in the subconscious influence people later on", said the patron. "I wish people to live in beauty and kindness and to share it with others. It is an endless process, but that is the mission of culture in this tumultuous world".
According to the patron, the true impact of his efforts will only be evident in ten or even twenty years. "In the realm of culture, progress is gradual. I understand that it takes time for the changes brought about by culture to manifest in society and for people to have a deeper understanding of their European identity and connection to their history and cultural heritage. This is fundamentally different from manufacturing consumer goods like candy bars. The influence, significance, and rewards of culture cannot be measured in euros", Dr Kiznis asserted.
The patron, a frequent visitor to the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, said he is familiar with many staff and admires the museum's personnel. "I wish good health and harmony to the entire museum community and hope they will continue to pursue profound knowledge of culture and history and to spread this knowledge to the museum's visitors. While many people seek instant gratification, those committed to the museum may not receive significant monetary rewards but find spiritual fulfilment in their work. Future generations will appreciate the museum's contribution even after a hundred years".
Previously, the patron donated paintings to the museum, loaned them for long-term storage and display, donated or deposited sculptures, and supported the museum's cultural and educational activities.
In his latest contribution, two paired natiurmorts with vases by an unknown Italian artist from the 17th century have been donated to the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania collection. These artworks originated from the esteemed collection of the Guinigi family, prominent Italian aristocrats whose lineage dates back to the 13th century, known for their mercantile and banking activities, reaching their zenith of influence in the 15th century.
Additionally, the museum received the painting "Architectural Composition" by the renowned Italian artist Filippo Gagliardi (1606-1659), acclaimed for pioneering fanciful architectural compositions, and the 17th-century canvas "Diana, Goddess of Hunting and Vegetation of Roman Mythology" by the famous French painter Charles Dauphin (c. 1620/1628-1677/1678), who worked for the Dukes of Savoy in Piedmont.
To enrich the museum's collection further, Dr P. Kiznis also presented a triptych depicting scenes from the life and passion of Christ by an unidentified German artist from the late 15th and early 16th centuries. This triptych is part of a Gothic altarpiece - the predella- situated between the mensa and the retable.
Lastly, the "Bathing of the Infant Jesus" by Fabrizio Santafede (c. 1555-1626), a renowned Neapolitan artist of the Mannerist and early Baroque periods, will now be housed in the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Notably, the painting bears the artist's signature, which only came to light during the canvas's restoration in Lithuania. The work previously belonged to the collection of Paolo Onofrio in Naples and was displayed in the family chapel.
