Dimensions: 54 x 65 cm
signed and dated p.g.: '1909 J Malczewski'.
on the reverse: three paper exhibition stickers of the Society of Friends of Fine Arts in Cracow, stamp of the Parisian company "Lefranc et Cie" composition of painting accessories
Origin
collection of Adolf Brenner
private collection, Cracow (purchased in the 1990s)
Exhibited
Society of Friends of Fine Arts in Cracow, postwar period (?).
Jacek Malczewski 1855-1929, Society of Friends of Fine Arts in Cracow, July-September 1939
Society of Friends of Fine Arts, March 1909
Literature
Jacek Malczewski 1855-1929, exhibition catalog, Society of Friends of Fine Arts in Cracow, Cracow 1939, cat. no. 12, p. 10
Catalog of the exhibition of the Society of Friends of Fine Arts in Cracow, Cracow 1909, p. 13, cat. no. 130 (March)
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 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).