People's Republic of Poland, Set of decorations and documents after the artist. Henryk Grunwald (1904-1958). Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, size 61 x 61 mm, on the reverse, number 85 - consecutive number of the award counting from 1945, together with a card hand-signed by Bolesław Bierut dated 1949; Golden Cross of Merit (46x41 mm) together with a card dated 1946 and a card dated 1951; and Medal of the 10th anniversary of the People's Republic of Poland together with a card dated 1955. All in very good condition. A rare set of decorations after such an important person for Polish culture and art.
Henryk Grunwald (born January 14, 1904 in Łazy near Warsaw, died March 21, 1958 in Warsaw) - Polish illustrator, prominent metalworker, painter and goldsmith, poet. Considered from the 1930s to the 1950s the most important Polish artist working in metal.
Biography
Initially, from 1923 to 1924, he studied law at the University of Warsaw. From 1924, he studied painting at the School of Fine Arts in Warsaw. After graduating from the School of Fine Arts, he stayed in France as a grantee of the National Culture Fund. From 1927 to the 1930s, he served as an assistant in the metal techniques studio of his alma mater under Prof. Miłosz Kotarbiński. He made his debut as a caricaturist in 1936, in Szpilki. In 1938, he presented his jewelry for the first time at an exhibition at the Art Propaganda Institute. He prepared and forged candelabra, platters and ashtrays for the Brühl Palace in Warsaw, as well as decorative bars in the staircase windows of the Palace of the Council of Ministers. He participated in the Warsaw Uprising fighting in the Old Town. In 1945, he prepared a design for the bars filling the arcades of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw, along with the highest military decorations. He collaborated with Bohdan Pniewski in designing the balustrades of the stairs and the grilles in the interiors of the Sejm buildings. He is best known to collectors for his designs of jewelry, badges and medals distinguished by their unique style and mastery of design.
He was awarded the Gold Cross of Merit in 1946 and the Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta in 1949.
We include a certificate of authenticity with every item purchased in our auction for PLN 1000 and above.
