Jan Dobkowski (b. 1942), Amory, 2003

acrylic, canvas; 110 x 130 cm;
Signed and dated p. d.: "Jan Dobkowski 2003 YEAR";
Signed, dated and author-described on the back: "Jan Dobkowski / "AMORY" 2003 YEAR / ACRYL /110 x 130 cm".

Provenance:
private collection, Poland

This is an art of reflection and commentary. Multi-layered despite the appearance of easy legibility. Disturbing despite the finesse of decoration. Its pedigree lies in Art Nouveau, poster art and op-art tendencies, but this painting can't be attributed to anything
Bozena Kowalska

Excellently educated in the visual arts, an alumnus of the eminent colorist Jan Cybis, winner of a number of prestigious awards, who achieved success not only in Poland, but also in the world, remains to this day a leading figure in contemporary art, valued also by collectors.

The offered, magnificent canvas, captures in its framework the characteristic features of the artist's style. The composition is built up of densely layered, colorful lines, forming two female figures with elongated, disproportionate shapes. Dobkowski applies paint flatly, and thanks to the well-thought-out arrangement of lines, the picture plane creates the illusion of movement, emanating energy. Line in the artist's work plays a very important role. It becomes the material of elaborate forms, sometimes resembling people or objects. This is evident both in the painter's paintings and in his drawing works, and as early as the 1960s. What's more, it is also the subject of artistic activities in the open air (for example, "Drawing the wind" from 1974). Dobkowski admitted that the line is the primary tool of his creative act and has not only plastic, but also conceptual qualities.
Another typical feature of the artist's painting, evident in the painting "Amory," is the reference to eroticism, sexuality and human nature. For the artist, they are closely related to each other. Man in the artist's paintings seems to be free from cultural and social norms, closer to primal instincts, stimulated by emotions and biology. For him, nature is a source of life, vitality and unfettered energy. At the same time, the body and the passion that awakens in it, are portrayed in a tasteful way, devoid of blunt vulgarity.

Although as a student he rebelled against the prevailing colorism at the academy, color remains an important means of artistic expression for Dobkowski. The feria of colors used in the painting in question enhances the dynamism of the composition.

Bibliography:
Kowalska B., Creators-Posts. Artists of my gallery, Wydawnictwo Literackie, Krakow 1981.