Museum-worthy Picnics: A Selection of Inspirations

For me, a picnic is an escape. A mini-adventure that tickles the monotony of daily life, offering a refreshing change of scenery and pace. If you put in a bit of effort, it’s not only cheaper than a good restaurant but also more charming than your average lunch at home. It’s clear that picnics aren’t an invention of our generation; in fact, we slaves to computers and phones, terrified of the slightest cloud, should probably rediscover this pleasant custom.

So, while preparing this piece to inspire more al fresco dining, I spent some time browsing the treasures of LIMIS (Lithuanian Integral Museum Information System). And I truly hope that if not this summer, then next, some institution will invite us to an exhibition dedicated to the art and tradition of picnicking. I’ve got ideas, get in touch!

©️ M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art, inv. no. ČDM M 2-29-8/1

Vladas Daumantas-Dzimidavičius (1885–1977) – a Lithuanian political and public figure, and a collector of books and art – was the dream companion. Here we feature one of many photographs capturing his and his friends’ outings, which were akin to small carnivals. Why couldn’t your picnic have a theme too? For instance, Kenneth Grahame’s book “The Wind in the Willows” should at least inspire the contents of your picnic basket.

…or perhaps a famous painting depicting a picnic? It’s interesting that Édouard Manet’s renowned painting “Luncheon on the Grass” (1862–1863) caused quite a scandal. A nude woman, an unheard-of technique… One wonders what impact such a tableau vivant would have in one of our city parks today. Maybe it’d be calmer to recreate “Picnic in Giudecca” by Kaunas-born Litvak (Lithuanian Jew) Neemija Arbitblatas (Arbit Blat; 1908–1999)?

This photograph, taken by an unknown author around 1970, reminds us that we can create a celebration and a game anywhere, cleverly using what we find around us. And if you can’t quite remember why it was so much fun in childhood, pop into the Lithuanian Museum of Education, in whose archives we found this shot.

Your job title and uniform don’t mean you haven’t the right to relax and go on a picnic – with due respect for ranks and insignia, of course. This is perfectly illustrated by a photograph from the Lithuanian Aviation Museum, in which Vladas Šupinis, a senior non-commissioned officer of the Military Aviation, is relaxing with four service buddies – playing cards and listening to music.

Reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures! In the shade of the forest, with the sun warming you, pages melt away like ice cream. It would be fascinating to know what Kazys Binkis is reading in this shot, captured around 1936…

Writers read, and painters in nature… paint! It’s unknown whether Antanas Žmuidzinavičius captured himself in this 1947 painting, but one can certainly imagine. And you could always pack a tablet in your picnic basket. Perhaps you’ll create a comic strip under a tree?

In the archives of the Kaunas IX Fort Museum, one can find a wealth of visual information about the difficult lives of our compatriots in exile. Although it’s hard for a 21st-century person to grasp that poverty, cold, and other hardships, it’s heartening to unearth moments of joy too. A group of friends and an accordion – sometimes, a smile doesn’t require much at all, does it?

Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas (a prominent Lithuanian writer and priest) and the holidaymakers surrounding him remind us that even living in Kaunas, we still too rarely turn to the river and the advantages and pleasures it offers. On hot days, there’s nothing more enjoyable than a boat trip – to Birštonas, as in this picture, or to Kačerginė. Lunch in a pine forest sounds incredibly idyllic.

We conclude our top museum-worthy picnics with symbolic good wishes to the Kaunas cultural community. For several years now, its representatives have been meeting in different friendly institutions, sharing news and grievances, enjoying pastries, and learning something new. It turns out, similar traditions existed before – this shot was taken on the Kaunas Lagoon in 1985, during an outing of the Kaunas District cultural department staff after a song festival in Kulautuva.

limis.lt