Ushinskas, Stasis

(Stasys Ušinskas) Born July 7 (20), 1905, in Pakruojis; died June 12, 1974, in Kaunas. Soviet artist who specialized in stained-glass panels and theater scenery. Honored Artist of the Lithuanian SSR (1947).

Ushinskas studied at the Kaunas Art School from 1925 to 1929 and at the Higher School of Decorative Arts in Paris under F. Léger from 1929 to 1932. He taught in Kaunas, at the Art School—the Institute of Applied and Decorative Art (1940–41, 1944–51; professor from 1946)—and the Polytechnical Institute (1955–57), and in Vilnius, at the Art Institute of the Lithuanian SSR (1951–54). His students include K. Morkunas and A. V. Stoškus.

In the 1930’s, Ushinskas developed the principles of constructivism in his designs for B. Dvarionas’ ballet Matchmaking (1933, Kaunas State Theater). He founded the Lithuanian school of stained-glass panel design. Precise design, laconic composition, and expressive color distinguish Ushinskas’ stained-glass panels Klaipeda (1939–40, Palace of Trade and Industry, Kaunas) and The Builders (1964; State Prize of the Lithuanian SSR, 1972).