Justas and Vilius Varpucanskis
School of Stoics
2022

About the Item

The School of Stoics brings the viewer into an airy evening discussion at an agora overlooking the Aegean Sea. Amidst the silent water and grained marble, a group of stoics debate logic, reason, and nature. Agreement and disagreement prevail in the noble gestures of their bodies. Soon you see an individual's gaze directed towards you, raising their hand, calling you to join the conversation. Technical: 53” x 39”. Tempera on panel with 24k gold water-gilded frame. Painting and frame produced by artists Justas and Vilius Varpucanskis. This piece utilizes the "rules of craftsmanship" as outlined in Cenino Cennini's Il Libro dell'Arte. 21st century contemporary artwork that employs techniques, philosophy, and visual language of the Italian High Renaissance while simultaneously being an original composition and work of art. Image is depicted in chiaroscuro manner and uses traditional iconography regarding symbolism and gesture. The frame is also completely bespoke. All the mouldings were designed through a relation by parts system and the capital heads are hand carved. Due to the fact that Zeno founded the philosophy of Stoicism in Athens, the architecture of ancient Greece guided certain design decisions. The capital heads found in the The Tower of the Winds in Athens drove the overall aesthetic of the capital heads in pilaster form. For preservation of work, it should be displayed indoors in relative low-key lighting and it’s recommended to avoid displaying the painting for prolonged periods of time in direct sunlight. Best way to clean work if dust accumulates is to go over gently with a dry microfiber cloth. Avoid the use of any chemical cleaning products. Given size and nature of the work it is best displayed as a mantelpiece. Special delivery and assembly required for the work. Only available in contiguous United States.

Creator:

Justas and Vilius Varpucanskis (American)

Creation Year:

2022

Dimensions:

Height: 39 in (99.06 cm)Width: 53 in (134.62 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)

Medium:

Gold Leaf,Wood,Egg Tempera

Movement & Style:

Renaissance

Period:

21st Century