Four of Malczewski’s works may soon fall into new hands. Perhaps the last chance to see them

“In April 1874, the Parisian public first encountered a groundbreaking trend that was to change European art forever. The Impressionists wanted to depict the fast pace of modern life with violent brushstrokes, but attached more importance to the painter’s subjective perception than to a realistic representation of reality.” – we read in the exhibition announcement. “French impressionism gained more and more popularity over the following decades, inspiring artists all over Europe. The exhibition ‘Ancient Art. 19th century, Modernism, Interwar’ at DESA Unicum, which runs until June 13, is proof that in Poland this trend also gained several outstanding artists. representatives,” adds the organizer.

Four works by Jacek Malczewski

Impressionism was initially not well received by the public. The first impressionists, including Monet, Renoir, Degas, Pissarro, Cézanne, Sisley and Morisot, encountered misunderstanding and exclusion from the art world. It took several years for the new trend to enter showrooms. It was brought to Poland by two outstanding artists: Józef Pankiewicz and Władysław Podkowiński. – Podkowiński’s “Rest in the Garden” presented at the exhibition is one of a series of paintings depicting garden views in which French inspirations are visible at first glance – says Michał Szarek, DESA Unicum expert. As specialists note, many Polish painters did not consider themselves impressionists and are not qualified as its representatives today, but they often created under the influence of this trend and drew heavily from it in some of their works.

The exhibition also includes “View of Paris” by Aleksander Gierymski – it is one of the largest landscapes from this group. There will also be works by Jacek Malczewski. Even though he was called the father of Polish symbolism, he also used impressionism. – The painter’s world full of fantasy is a fascinating and magical land filled with the strangest creatures. The artist recreates in his paintings both good creatures, such as gentle pegasi or graceful satyrs, as well as predatory demons – chimeras, medusas and harpies. The reality created by Malczewski is a fusion of epochal events and fears shown under the mask of myths and legends. – says Michał Szarek.

Malczewski’s works presented at the Warsaw auction house included: the work “At the Source of Truth”, measuring over 1.4 m high and almost a meter wide. It depicts a woman sitting on boulders – a mythical goddess – to whom the artist gave the features of Maria Ballowa, his then lover and muse. The woman holds in her hands a clay jug from which a trickle of water flows, feeding the spring located in the stone recesses at the bottom of the composition. A thirsty young faun draws water from it.

First the exhibition, then the auction

The exhibition “Ancient Art. 19th century, Modernism, Interwar period” includes 45 works by the most outstanding Polish painters. As the organizers emphasize, in connection with the jubilee anniversary of Impressionism, celebrated all over the world, it was attended by artists whose work was clearly inspired by the French trend: Władysław Ślewiński, Julian Fałat, Jan Cybis and Stanisław Żukowski. They also draw attention to the orientalist motif, represented by the brothers Adam and Tadeusz Styk and Tadeusz Ajdukiewicz.

Admission to the exhibition at DESA Unicum is free, but you should hurry – it is open until June 13. An auction of works of art will take place that evening. If new owners come into their possession, this may be the last chance to see these paintings. On December 8, 2022, someone paid PLN 20.4 million for Malczewski’s oil painting “Reality” from 1908. Then the work officially became the most expensive work of art sold on the Polish auction market.