'Paintings from Poland' at National Gallery of Ireland

Sunday, 06 January 2008 23:52

Dublin, Ireland - An exhibition ‘Paintings from Poland: Symbolism to Modern Art  (1880-1939)’ is currently on show in the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin (Millennium Wing, admission free). The exhibition was opened by Mr. Séamus Brennan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.  On exhibition through 27 January, 2008.

The 74 paintings included in the exhibition have been selected from the National Museum in Warsaw, with additional loans from private collections and other galleries in Poland including the National Museum in Cracow and the Tatra Museum in Zakopane.

Paintings from Poland is organised in collaboration with the National Museum in Warsaw. It is curated by Dr. Dorota Folga-Januszewska, Director of the National Museum in Warsaw, and Fionnuala Croke, Head of Exhibitions at the National Gallery of Ireland.   
                                                                         
Presented in three sections, the exhibition focuses on the Symbolist period of the late 19^th century through to the modernism and abstraction of the inter-war years.  Raymond Keaveney, Director of the National Gallery, says: “This major survey of Polish art covering two generations of artists will provide the viewer with a substantial investigation of a period of great fomentation in the development of the visual arts in Poland.”

Poland’s turbulent history provides the context for much of the imagery in the art of the period. Seen in a wider European context, the exhibition provides a rare opportunity to see some of the most important works of an extraordinarily creative artistic culture in a period of national upheaval.                     

Dr. Dorota Folga-Januszewska says: “The period from which the works on display in this exhibition originate marks a stage of Polish history decisive to contemporary Poland’s culture and identity. During their lifetime, two generations of artists witnessed changes which were experienced with a rapidity unequalled in those times.” 

Among the works included in the display will be Stańczyk, 1898 (the legendary jester sage) by Leon Wyczółkowski (1852-1936); Portrait of Painter Bronislaw Brykner in Fancy Costume, 1908  by Kazimierz Stabrowski (1869-1929); Children’s Train, 1905, and Abduction of a Princess , 1908, both by Witold Wojtkiewicz (1879-1909). The exhibition will also show works by two generations of artists: Jacek Malczewski (1854-1929) and his son Rafel Malczweski (1892-1965); Stanisław Witkiewicz (1851-1915) and his son Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, called Witkacy, (1885-1939).

Paintings from Poland has been made possible through the generous support of AIB Group – corporate sponsors of the exhibition. Eugene Sheehy, Chief Executive of AIB, said: “We are delighted to be associated with this landmark exhibition. It is the largest collection of Polish art ever to be exhibited in Ireland. I am sure it will appeal to the Polish community and will also provide a greater awareness of Poland’s cultural legacy to Irish people too.”

The Gallery also wishes to acknowledge the support of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute in Warsaw; the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland; and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in the production of the accompanying exhibition catalogue.

The National Gallery of Ireland houses the national collection of Irish art and European master paintings. Admission to the permanent collection is free.  Visit : www.nationalgallery.ie