ELJASZ- ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO TATY, PIENINY AND SZCZAWNICA 1900

ELJASZ-RADZIKOWSKI Walery

ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE TATRIES, Pieniny and Szczawnica

ELJASZ-RADZIKOWSKI Walery (1841-1905)

He is known not only as a painter, but also as an author of Tatra guides and a great popularizer of the Tatra Mountains and Zakopane. He studied painting at the Cracow School of Fine Arts under W.Łuszczkiewicz, from whom he took over his "ancient" interest in the ancient monuments of Cracow and historical subjects in paintings. He continued his studies in Munich, where he served a special mission commissioned by the National Government during the 1863 uprising. He traveled to Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. He was friends with J.I.Kraszewski, who often advised him on the choice of subjects for his paintings and helped to publish the Illustrated Guide to the Tatra Mountains, Pieniny and Szczawnica (1870), which Eljasz compiled. Eljasz painted in oil and watercolor - views of the sights of Krakow and larger compositions with historical themes (e.g., Zolkiewski at Cecora, Defense of Krakow against the Swedes, Entry of John III to Vienna).

The Tatra Mountains were not only a source of inspiration for him, but also a favorite place for expeditions. The artist was one of the first to conquer peaks that were not very popular at the time, such as Świnica, Ice Peak and Gerlach. On the basis of the trips he made, he drew maps, which, along with his illustrations, were later included in guidebooks written by Eljasz-Radzikowski. One of the most famous books written by the artist was "Illustrated Guide to the Tatra Mountains, Pieniny and Szczawnica." It was with him that wanderers from the end of the 19th century and lovers of Zakopane landscapes from the early interwar period went on mountain expeditions.

with 68 illustrations, a plan of Zakopane and a map of the Tatra Mountains

sixth edition, substantially revised and enlarged

Krakow 1900, published by the author, pp. XII, 395,[1], XXXVIII, format 10x15.5cm

PUBLISHER'S HARDCOVER OF THE EPOCH, EMBOSSING AND GILDING ON THE FRONT AND SPINE

Condition DB/ conservation binding, 2 illustrations r. inconsistent with the block [inserted in a pocket after the text]], pages clean, map of the Tatra Mountains in the form of a pencil sketch [period?]