Dimensions: 66 x 53.5 cm
signed and dated p.d.: 'Jacek 1911'
described on the reverse: 'R 18 | 25 388 | (hardly legible)', paper sticker of Skład Papieru i Przyborów Malarskich Róży Aleksandrowicz in Kraków (underneath handwritten description: 'K12L'), paper ownership sticker and two auction stickers, on the frame an auction sticker and a sticker of a framing workshop
Origins
Bonhams auction house, London, November 2007
Signum Foundation collection, Poznań
DESA Unicum, December 2011
private collection, Poland
Biography
In 1872-75 and 1877-79 he studied at the School of Fine Arts in Cracow, among others with Władysław Łuszczkiewicz and Jan Matejko, and in 1876-77 with Henri Ernest Lehman at the School of Fine Arts in Paris. The artist's formation was influenced by numerous trips to Paris, Munich, Vienna, Italy, Greece and Turkey. An important source of inspiration for Malczewski was native folklore, Polish literature and history, as well as biblical and mythological tradition. He constantly took up patriotic and messianic themes, existential themes, autobiographical themes and themes concerning the dilemmas of artistic creation. Considered the most outstanding representative of Polish Symbolist painting, he was also famous as an outstanding educator. He taught painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow (1896-1900 and 1910-1921), and served as its rector in the period 1912-1914. In 1897 he became a founding member of the Society of Polish Artists "Art". Malczewski's work was repeatedly presented abroad, appreciated and awarded, including medals at international exhibitions in Munich (1892), Berlin (1891) and Paris (1900).