Ada Sari, owned by. Jadwiga Szayer (1886-1968) - one of the most famous Polish opera singers in history. She received her education in Vienna and Milan, performed on the most important stages in the world (e.g. Milan's La Scala, Carnegie Hall in New York), and toured the world. After World War II, she lived in Warsaw and focused on her teaching work.
Handwritten dedication in marker (which reads: To Mr. Gracjan Lepianko with true appreciation for his beloved work so always artistically executed Ada Sari | Warsaw in X 1959) under the photograph(reproduction from ca. 1959 of an earlier photograph from the performance of Barber", Milan 1923) measuring 14.6 x 10.3 cm (loose/decoupled), at the bottom of the sheet (originally a double-sided invitation " The Organizing Committee of the 50th anniversary of the artistic work of Ada Sari has the honor to invite.... dated December 7, 1957) measuring 22.2 x 15.1 cm, on the verso of which is stamped: Gabinet for the Repair of Works of Art and Artistic Objects Gracjan Lepianko Warsaw, Krak.-Przedm. 10, and the imprint Jubilee of the 50th Anniversary of the Artistic Work of Ada Sari | Under the Protectorate of Karol Kuryluk Minister of Culture and Art .
Condition: sheet with minor creases, soiling, discoloration where the photograph was glued, photo with traces of glue on the back, with minor scratches, dents and dirt on the surface.
Gracjan Lepianko (1905 - 15 May 1991) - a Warsaw restorer who ran the Office for the Repair of Works of Art and Artistic Objects at 10 Krakowskie Przedmieście Street for several decades. He graduated from the Schools of Drawing and Painting at 9 Wierzbowa Street, the School of Applied Art at Chmielna Street and the School of Decorative Arts at Myśliwiecka Street, obtaining the title of master decorative painter and master of artistic metal products. He began studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, but the financial situation forced him to interrupt his studies and take up a job. He became self-employed in 1931 and changed locations several times(before, 1952, he ended up in Krakowskie Przedmieście). He was passionate about sports, training amateur boxing and wrestling. During World War II, a passion for reviving "dead"/destroyed objects awoke in him. He not only repaired but also collected antiques. After the war he became very popular, there were films about him, mentions in the press and guidebooks. Visited by numerous celebrities(of many fields), who sometimes left commemorative entries.
