Mackevicius, Vytautas Stasjo

Born Jan. 1 (14), 1911, in Siauliai. Soviet painter; People’s Artist of the Lithuanian SSR (1963). Member of the Communist Party of Lithuania (1933-35); member of the CPSU since 1948.

Mackevičus studied at the Kaunas Art School (1928-35) with J. Vienožinskis, V. Didziokas, P. Kalpokas, and K. Sklerius and in Paris (1938-39) under C. Guérine. After becoming a participant in the underground revolutionary movement in 1933, he drew political cartoons for the illegal satirical journal Sluota (The Broom). He has taught at the Art Institute of the Lithuanian SSR in Vilnius since 1945 (professor since 1954; rector since 1953).

From the second half of the 1940’s to the early 1950’s, Mackevičius’ work played an important role in the establishment of thematic painting in Lithuanian art. He was awarded the State Prize of the Lithuanian SSR in 1970. His works include 1979 in Lithuania (1957), The Rebels of 1863 (1963), and The Light of Peace (1969), all in the Art Museum of the Lithuanian SSR, Vilnius; and By the Oaks of Ablinga (1973). He has been awarded the Order of the October Revolution and two other orders.

REFERENCE

Gudynas, P. Vytautas Mackevitius: Monografia. Vilnius, 1971.