One-painting Exhibition: Wincenty Sleńdziński (1838–1909). Priestess
9 December 2025 – 22 February 2026
For the first time, a painting by one of the most distinguished Lithuanian artists of the late 19th–early 20th century, Wincenty Sleńdziński (1838–1909), is being presented to the Lithuanian public. Titled Priestess, the work was painted in 1873.
Like many politically active artists of the time, Sleńdziński was deeply affected by the turbulent events of 19th-century Lithuanian history. His connections to participants in the January Uprising (1863–1864) led to his conviction and exile. After nearly eight years of exile spent in Knyaginin and Kharkiv, he was released from police supervision and allowed to leave. From 1872, he lived and worked in Kraków and Dresden. In 1875, however, he was forced to return to his place of exile, finally receiving permission to return to Lithuania in 1883. In Vilnius, he established a family and continued to paint until his death in 1909.
Although Sleńdziński was an exceptionally productive artist, his Dresden period (1873–1875) yielded relatively few works, and the fate of many of these remains unknown. Priestess is a notable exception.
In the second half of the 19th century, as Lithuania faced existential challenges, Romantic ideas that had emerged earlier in the century—celebration of the nation’s roots, culture, and past—became particularly resonant and were frequently reflected in artists’ work. Living in exile and longing for home, Sleńdziński also turned in his art to the ancient Lithuanian world, imbued with the spirit and freedom of his native land. Priestess is one of the earliest works in which the painter explored historical and mythological subjects.
In 1873, the painting was purchased directly from the artist’s studio by influential landowners and art patrons Count Mieczysław (1833–1918) and Countess Maria (1837–1924) Kwilecki. An inscription on the reverse of the canvas records the noble owners and the Grodziec estate, which they had owned since 1875 and where the work came to reside. After the Second World War, the work passed to a priest of Grodziec parish—whose name has been lost to history—who was closely acquainted with the Kwileckis. Around 1972–1973, the painting changed hands again, acquired from the clergyman by Father Wojciech Krzywański, who served in Włocławek. Priestess remained in his collection for more than five decades. During this time, the artist’s son, Ludomir Sleńdziński (1889–1980)—who regarded Priestess as his father’s finest work—twice attempted to acquire the painting, but both efforts were unsuccessful. Eventually, the canvas came into the hands of the current owners, Dominykas Šaudys and Regina Šemiotaitė, who purchased the painting in 2025 and brought it back to Lithuania. Restoration technology specialist Rapolas Vedrickas conducted physical examinations of the painting, whilst the unique canvas and authentic frame regained their original lustre in the workshops of restorers Linas Lukoševičius and Virginija Murmaitė, and were prepared to meet the exhibition visitors.
We are delighted that after more than 150 years since its creation, this work—which has travelled from hand to hand and is imbued with the spirit of Neo-Romanticism and Lithuanian identity—can now be seen on display in Lithuania. This also serves as a fitting prelude to the retrospective of Wincenty Sleńdziński’s life and work, which will open its doors at the Vilnius Picture Gallery in 2026.
Organizer LNMA Vilnius Picture Gallery
Curators: Aistė Bimbirytė, Gabija Kasparavičiutė-Kaminskienė, Joana Vitkutė
Architect Austė Kuliešiūtė-Šemetė
Designer Elena Ryškutė-Pivoriūnė
Editor Ieva Puluikienė
Translator Raminta Bumbulytė
Conservators: Linas Lukoševičius, Virginija Murmaitė, Rapolas Vedrickas
Partners: Dominykas Šaudys, Regina Šemiotaitė
Exhibition is financed by: Lithuanian National Museum of Art, Dominykas Šaudys, Regina Šemiotaitė
We wish to thank Father Wojciech Krzywański, Agnesa Seriogina, Dr Jolanta Širkaitė
- Click here to buy an e-ticket for the exhibition
- Plan your visit
- Book a tour in English: +370 681 90329, gidai.vpg@lndm.lt
4 Didžioji st, Vilnius, Lithuania
+370 5 261 1685
vpg@lndm.lt
