Władysław SKOCZYLAS (1883-1934), Dworzyszcze, 1929

Woodcut, paper, 22.9 x 32.2 cm (paper 26.5 x 36 cm illus. r.), signed in pencil p.d.: WSkoczylas.

Wladyslaw SKOCZYLAS (1883-1934). Outstanding printmaker, painter, sculptor and educator, considered the founder of the Polish school of woodcut. He studied sculpture at the Academy of Vienna, then painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow under T. Axentowicz and L. Wyczółkowski, and sculpture in the studio of K. Laszczka. In later years he studied sculpture and graphics in Paris and woodcut in Leipzig. For several years he lived in Zakopane, where he taught drawing at the School of Wood Industry, was co-founder of the Podhale Art Society and the "kilim" weaving workshop. Since the end of World War I, he lived in Warsaw, where he worked as a pedagogue at the Academy of Fine Arts. He was a co-founder of the "Rhythm" groups and the "Rhythm" society of graphic artists - He participated in the exhibitions of these groups. He is best known for his graphic art, he painted relatively little, mostly in watercolor technique.