The M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art presents a solo exhibition by the renowned Lithuanian painter, Rūta Katiliūtė (b. 1944) – a prominent figure in contemporary Lithuanian painting and laureate of the National Prize for Culture and Arts. Atmosphere marks an exceptional return of the artist to Kaunas.

The exhibition showcases over one hundred paintings, brought from the artist’s studio-apartment in Vilnius, as well as from the Lithuanian National Museum of Art, MO Museum, and private collections.

Rūta Katiliūtė’s work stands out for its poetic harmony of light and color – in her canvases, color becomes a metaphor for space, radiance, and existence. Blue, which has become the artist’s signature hue, unfolds here in a spectrum of moods – from soft smoky tones to deep, rich contrasts. The exhibition presents works from different creative periods, inspired by Žemaitija’s mythology, the landscapes of Neringa, Eastern philosophy, and the ideas of poet Oscar Milosz.

“Atmosphere is a space where human emotions, nature, and light merge. Everything intangible, everything that exists between the lines,” – says Rūta Katiliūtė.

The exhibition also features fragments of the artist’s creative environment, memorabilia, and photographic installations, offering visitors an opportunity to experience not only her paintings but also the atmosphere of her studio.