Bathing II 1985

Sarunas Sauka painted ‘Bathing II’ using oil on canvas sometime in the late 20th century. The Lithuanian artist invokes religious iconography to comment on the social and political structures of his time. The work echoes the Christian ritual of baptism, but with the introduction of some disturbing elements. A dead or sleeping man is being watched over by a child who looks like an icon, as mourners stand to the right. This baby could be interpreted as a symbol of innocence, raised on a pedestal by the church and state. The country had been under Soviet rule until 1990, and the people are caught between old traditions and new beginnings. To understand the full context of this painting, researchers might consult historical records, religious texts, and political analyses. Art is a product of its time, and its meaning is always shaped by the social and institutional forces at play.