Vitražisto Algirdo Dovydėno kūrybos puslapius apžvelgiant : [recenzija]

Abstract

In this article a book „Algirdas Dovydėnas. Stained Glass“, which was released in 2013 by Vilnius Art Academy press will be presented. This publication is a monographic album with comprehensive article of art critic dr. Dalia Ramonienė, in which a lot information is introduced: majority of artist’ stained glass works, biographic photographs, other extra information. Even though A. Dovydėnas always was famous for being one of the most important innovative Lithuanian glass artists (matching such authors as A. Stoškus or K. Morkūnas), I have to admit that there are little articles or any other significant publications, which involved creation of this artist. Therefore the book completely filled this inconsistency. Introductory article written by art critic D. Ramonienė can be characterized as clear and consecutive: chronological narration of A. Dovydėnas life and artistic development is enriched by comments which presented artist’ creation problems and different aspects of particular works in deeper manner. While analyzing the creation of artist, art critic used iconographic and formal analysis to comprehensively discuss thematic and plastic features of stained glass works. Also the successful work of designer Jurga Dovydėnaitė is highly commendable. While modeling, an optimal format of the book was chosen: not the largest, quadratic shaped publication is comfortable for reading and viewing illustrations. The classical and modern ways of material placement are combined to present the most important A. Dovydėnas works. Other carefully gathered appendixes (bibliography, lists of exhibitions, symposia, and conferences) are also meaningful part of book. All in all, we can evaluate this monograph as an informative, properly constructed by a team of art critics, designers, photographers, and publishers, visually esthetic album.