Giesmės apie saulę ir sielą : trečioji lirikos knyga (Songs of the Sun and the Soul: Third Book of Lyric Poetry)

Near Fine condition; small light brown stain on the back wrapper, internally darkened fly-leaves, few occasional foxing throughout, eraised owner’s signature on the title page. 

Stasys Santvaras (1902-1991) a poet, a playwright, a chairman of the Lithuanian writers society, was the only writer of his generation not attracted to avant-garde Keturi vėjai (Four Winds) movement. He was more interested in symbolism and expressionism than in modern forms of poetry.

Santvaras poetry traditionally referred as neo-symbolism. But in the mature works lyric's core emerged by the combining traditions of symbolism and neo-romanticism, of which had become poet’s individuality. Poems from the current collection is a good example of this. Here serene Lithuanian nature landscapes (blue river, soaring souls, flowering gardens) full of idealized love and beauty, fade in the boundless space, all that remains is a vague recollection and longing, i.e. poetic elevation with intimate tonality gives way to moderate reflection and mournful tongue. 

Front wrapper design created by outstanding Lithuanian graphic artist Telesforas Kulakauskas (1907–1977). From 1932 onwards he was a member of the group of modernist artists Ars. Like the group’s other members, Jonynas championed innovative European trends. His idea was to create a new hybrid art for young Lithuania that would combine traditional Lithuanian elements with modernist ones. Kulakauskas worked mainly in books and magazines design, posters, scenography illustration. His most famous works include avant-garde cover designs for magazines „Trečias frontas“ (The Third Front, 1930–1931) and for the catalog of the first exhibition of the artists' group Ars (1932).