An exhibition at DESA Unicum in Warsaw, running from March 6th to 19th, showcases Renoir alongside over 60 works exploring European modernism and Polish contributions.
Impressionism in Poland
Józef Pankiewicz and Władysław Podkowiński brought Impressionism to Poland, inspired by Claude Monet. Their initial landscape paintings, executed in a new technique, received a cool reception.
Pankiewicz later traveled extensively throughout Europe, experimenting with various modern art movements. His work in Spain, exemplified by “Houses in Madrid,” blends Impressionist influences with elements of Fauvism and Cubism.
Henryk Hayden: “The Renoir of Cubism”
Henryk Hayden, a prominent Cubist painter sometimes called “The Renoir of Cubism,” is also featured in the exhibition. Born in Warsaw as Henryk Chajn, he was active in the Parisian avant-garde and exhibited with Paul Rosenberg.
His “Still Life with a Trefoil Ace” exemplifies classical Cubism, characterized by overlapping planes, distinct form structure, and deliberate use of color. Later in his career, Hayden focused on intimate landscapes and still lifes created during stays in Southern France.
Female Artists of Modernism
The exhibition also highlights the work of female artists connected to the European art scene at the turn of the 20th century, including Olga Boznańska and Mela Muter.
Boznańska’s “Portrait of Louis Libaude” and “Study of a Young Woman in Black” are juxtaposed with Muter’s “Portrait of a Lady,” offering a dialogue between different approaches to modern portraiture – Boznańska’s subtle psychological depth and Muter’s more expressive, textural style. Muter’s “Still Life with Primroses” showcases intense color and dynamic painterly texture.
Over 60 Works on Display
The “Old Art. 19th Century, Modernism, Interwar Period” exhibition features over 60 works by leading Polish painters. It also explores the direction of Neo-Classicism, seeking a timeless concept of beauty.
Ludomir Ślendziński is one of its representatives, with his “Lady with Coral” – an oil painting long considered lost and rarely seen on the art market – on display.
Exhibition Details
The exhibition is open from March 6th to 19th at DESA Unicum, 1A Piękna Street, Warsaw. Admission is free.