The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-03-06
Lithuanians Herald
Opening OF Exhibit
Famous Sculptor, Peter Rimsa, to Show Renowned
Works at Mattatuck Historical Society for Weeks


Professor Alexander J. AlelEsis Is
chairman Of the executive commit
Tee, assisted by Dr.. John 8. Stanes.
low, vice. chairman; Miss Marcelle
Andrikas, secretary: Dr.. Frank J.
NIL, treasurer: william Klimas,
CaSimlr Lokocius, Helen Tareila
and Hedwiga Stulginskas.
Born on Farm
Petras (Peter) RiEnsa was born In
Lithuania, November 18th, 1881, on
small farm in the village Of Mar
giai, district Of Villsaviskas. His
parents were farmers Of Sulvalkai
and not only farmed their land,
they also made their own nipple.
ments, built and repaired their
buildings, made their own clothes
and sewed their own garments.
His boyhood dream was to be-
come an artist and to paint pic
lures similar to those which
adorned the walls Of churches. He
took great pleasure doing small
tasks which required artistic touch.
He spent most Of his spare time in
whiting or decorating some house.
hold article or farm implement and
soon became recognized in the vii
lage as Master"
When II years OF age he was
urged by DR.. Grinius, an active
man In Lithuanian affairs, TO study
art and went to Warsaw where for
several years he studied under an
obscure artist, taking up his work
under WelonSki, noted professor.
Finishing Rimsa went to Paris for
further study at the Ecole deS
Beaux Arts under Professor Anton
Mercie and after the completion Of
these studies began tour Of Eu-
ropean cultural centers. To in
crease his skill he spent some time
In company with Professor Laszcka
In Cracow and later decided to es-
tablish his residence In the city Of
Vilnius.
Won Cash Award
The first Lithuanian art exhibit
in Vilnius took place In 1907 while
Lithuania was still a province Of
Russia. Riinsa, already distin-
guished in his art, won much praise
from noted critics. He received q
cash award for his study Of 1.-THE
Ploughman," one Of the pieces to be
shown here
When the World War broke out,
Rimsa with other sculptors went to
work In inunition factories. After
the war he continued his subject,
but did not remain In Vilnius long,
since 1t was seized shortly after
ward. He then went to Berlin,
where he made the statue DAY and
Night" He made occasional visits
to Paris, London and Rome. While
In London he carved a bust Of r.
Norus Norusevicius. minister Of
Lithuania, and made several bas-
reliefs.
Rimsa's present home Is In Kaun-
Is and hts visit 10 the United States
is primarily to acquaint the Amer
lean people with his creations based
on realism. In the meantime, he
Is searching for new forms Of eX-
preston.
Praised BY Budrys
John Budrys, Lithuanian consul
general to the United States and a
recent visitor in this city, upon
celebration Of the Independence of
Lithuania, paid the following trib-
ute to Rimsa:
Peter Rimsa Is one Of the most
prominent sculptors in Lithuania.
His creations are valued highly, not
only In Lithuania, but elsewhere.
They portray the spirit Of national
Lithuanian art; they carry one into
the realms Of UNEMPLOYED futurism.
His portrayal Of the Lithuanian
school Is considered the symbol Of
the desire for education, 1.-THE
Ploughman" has been acclaimed his
masterpiece, expressing true realism.
His numerous medallalions disclose
the finesse Of an accomplished ar
list.
Eleanor Jewett Of the Chicago
Daily Tribune states in part: There
seems, In fact, to be no end to the
genius of this artist. He cannot be
classified as modern or non-modern,
but ranks with the unticketed I'M
mortals."