Dimensions: 71.5 x 90.5 cm
signed and dated p.d.: '1908 J Malczewski'
on the reverse a sticker described in print and ink: 'R. ALEKSANDROWICZ | KRAKÓW | PLAC MATEJKI L. I | PAPER STORE | AND PAINTING EQUIPMENT | 4 K 20', stamp of manufacturer of painting materials Lefranc et Cie and stamp with number: '30' referring to the size of the canvas; on the reverse of the frame paper exhibition stickers
Provenance
private collection, Warsaw
Exhibited
Jacek and Rafał Malczewski, District Museum in Sandomierz, March 17 - July 31, 2012.
Jacek and Rafał Malczewski, Jacek Malczewski Museum in Radom, March 25-September 4, 2011.
Literature
Jacek and Rafał Malczewski, concept and album editor Zofia Katarzyna Posiadała, exhibition catalog, Jacek Malczewski Museum in Radom, Radom 2014, pp. 22 and 178-179 (il.)
Dorota Kudelska, Malczewski. Images and Words, Warsaw 2012, il. on the cover
Stefania Krzysztofowicz-Kozakowska, Jacek Malczewski. Życie i twórczość, Kraków 2008, p. 176 (il.)
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).
