Project for the publication "Polish Dances" according to drawings by Z. Stryjeńska was pressed by T. Wallich, Paris 1954
gouache, pencil, paper, 33.1 x 25.1 cm, (composition frame 24.3 x 18.1 cm)
signed p.d.: Z S, below middle title: KUJAWIAK
in the margins outside the frame of the composition hints to the reproduction, in the artist's hand: l.g.: ziel | nieb | orange | black | carmin /5
p. g. inscription: oryg. 2./2. [in circle]; m.d.: 51 [in circle]; p.d.: 5 cm | wrong
Zofia Stryjeńska's "Polish Dances" series was developed and first published in 1929 at the Drukarnia Narodowa in Krakow. The portfolio contained 11 boards made in rotogravure technique. In 1954 the publication "Polish Dances" according to Zofia Stryjeńska's drawings was published again - this time pressed by T. Wallich in Paris. The portfolio contained 5 charts in metal engraving technique. The depictions of individual dances in this publication are based in general outlines on the compositions of 1929, but differ from them both in drawing details and in color. Hence the conclusion that these were designs newly developed by the artist. The details and colors of the offered work are identical to the board entitled Kujawiak from the 1954 publication, reproduced in the artist's catalog-monograph.
Bibliography:
- Zofia Stryjeńska 1891-1976, Exhibition at the National Museum in Cracow, X 2008 - I 2009, Cracow 2008, p. 360, cat. V. I. 6, il. s. 361.
Zofia Stryjeńska, née Lubanska (Krakow 1891 - Geneva 1976) - painter, illustrator, stage designer - was one of the more colorful figures of the Polish artistic milieu in the interwar period. After a short period of study with Leonard Stroynowski and at Maria Niedzielska's school in Cracow, she left for Munich, where in 1911-1912 she studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in male disguise (women were not admitted at the time). She made her debut at the Kraków TPSP in 1912 with a series of cartoons of Polish fairy tales inspired by folk tales. In 1916 she married Karol Stryjeński. She lived in Cracow until 1919, later living in Paris, Cracow, Zakopane and Warsaw. In 1925, she achieved international success at the Decorative Arts Exhibition in Paris, receiving the Gran Prix in four divisions (painting, poster, textile, illustration) and the Diplom d'Honneur for her toy designs. She was involved in decorative architectural painting, polychrome, illustration, stage design (including Karol Szymanowski's Harnasie ; 1938), industrial design (kilim designs, toys). She created her own specific style in decoratively stylized, colorful, dynamic and temperamental paintings; tempera, watercolors and gouaches. In their subject matter she referred to legends, beliefs, history and folk customs. She published several graphic volumes(Slavic Idols, 1917 and 1922) and albums of reproductions(Polish Dances, 1927; Pascha, 1929; Piasts, 1929; Slavic Gusła / Magie Slave, 1934). Her works were also popularized by numerous color postcards.