Stanislaw Szreniawa - Rzecki (1888 Warsaw - 1972 Warsaw), by Franciszek Frączkowski, caricature from Teki Melpomeny, 1904

lithograph/paper
Dimensions: 16.5 x 26.5 cm
Signed on the plate at the bottom: 'St. Rz.
board comes from the Melpomene's Portfolio

Condition
framed

Literature
Catalog of the Collection of the Graphic Arts Cabinet, vol. 1: Polish Graphic Arts 1901-1939" Wroclaw 1983, cat. 704, p. 211

Biography
Graduated from gymnasium in Warsaw, and then studied at the School of Fine Arts in Kraków until 1908, including under Teodor Axentowicz, Stanisław Wyspiański, Julian Fałat, and sculpture under Konstanty Laszczka. In 1904 he enjoyed a scholarship from the Mikołaj Kopernik Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts (TZSP). He was one of the more active students of the Academy, and was active in the Fraternal Aid (he was secretary). During his studies he developed friendships with Waclaw Borowski, Wladyslaw Skoczylas and Stanislaw Kuczborski. He circulated in circles of artistic bohemians, frequented cafes and salons (including Eliza Pareńska's), and met with Wyspianski, Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński, Teofil Trzciński, Karol Frycz and Witold Wojtkiewicz. With Wojtkiewicz, Rzecki was particularly close; they lived together on St. Thomas Street, made numerous drawings for the satirical magazine "Liberum Veto" (1903 and 1904), as well as theatrical caricatures published in "Teka Melpomena" in 1904. Rzecki also collaborated with the satirical-political magazine "Hrabia Wojtek" published by "Forward" (1905), and later with the art weekly "Black Cat" (1906). Rzecki was associated with the cabaret "Zielony Balonik" from the moment it was founded in 1905: he made room decorations, puppets for nativity scenes and, above all, decorated invitations for subsequent cabaret evenings with witty drawings, drew and commented on caricatures; he also performed in 1909 at the Varsovian Momus. Momus. In 1909-13 he studied in Paris. Upon his return, he founded the Young Art Society in War¬szawa. During World War I, he fought in the Polish Legions. In 1915, he began working with Warsaw theaters as a stage designer and costume designer. He worked with: the Powszechny Theater (costumes for "The Cid", 1915), the Polish Theater (costumes for "The Constant Prince" and decorations for "The Barber of Seville", 1918), the Reduta (costumes for "Fircyk in Courtship", 1920 and decorations for "The Ring of the Great Lady", 1936). His designs met with recognition. J. Lorentowicz wrote that "Rzecki brought to his decorations and costumes such discretion of general tone, so much taste and harmony, that he reflected supremely from the brightness of colors of his most distinguished colleagues." Rzecki was active in artistic life. In 1922 he was one of the founding members of the Association of Artists "Rhythm", and in 1925 he was one of the co-founders of the "Rhythm" group. At that time he was particularly interested in woodcuts.
After World War II, he completed a few more stage design projects: at the Słowacki Theater in Cracow (Fantazy, 1946), and in Warsaw at the Chamber Theater ("Clever Widow", 1950) and the National Theater ("School of Wives", 1959). However, he was primarily a sculptor, painter and graphic artist. He had a number of exhibitions at home and abroad (Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Rome, New York, We¬necja). He was a member of various art groups, founder of the Institute of Visual Arts in Warsaw and its director (from 1926 to 1937); he was also a long-time teacher.