The works of Leon Wyczólkowski Some of the are considered most important of Polish art late XNUMXth century and early XNUMXth century.
His activity contributed to the Polish artistic tradition the factor of continuity and stability, and thus, he became the author of historical paintings and a participant in a period of Symbolist advancement.
The time of Leon's artistic activity is mixed in three important periods of Polish art, since they are more than sixty years of vital presence of the artist, mainly in painting and graphics, and half a century of constant experimentation, struggle with techniques.
He was perceived as a versatile artist in methods of interpretation of a subject and selection of techniques. In addition to oil, he used pastel, watercolour, tempera and drawing, was averse to artistic expression in a formula and renounced – as he used to say – prescribed schemes.
By the time he entered his mature years, Wyczółkowski had successively succumbed to the influence of realism, impressionism, modernism, symbolism, and postmodern realism, and then became almost exclusively involved in graphic art, in which he acquired significant skills and recognition, reaching the height of art.
Born in Huta Miastkowska, Garwolin County, April 24, 1852, spent his early childhood in Podlasie, in the family home of his father in the environment of austere nature of meadows and forests, floodplains of the river Hog, areas throbbing with the life of birds, fish, in shrouds of a mysterious mist, which often falls asleep in the haystacks.
These mysterious experiences for a child had been a constant inspiration to make many mature works, lovingly dedicated to the beauty of nature, leaning on its fragile detail (leaf, bark, a bit of frost) and the unusual power of huge and ancient silhouettes. of Polish trees, particularly yews and oaks, which he practically revered and cherished.
Beginning in 1863, he attended a secondary school in Siedlce, living with his grandparents during the national uprising. After the premature death of his father and the sale of the farm, 17-year-old Leon, along with his remarried mother, moved to Warsaw, and in 1869, he enrolled in the drawing classes known as Gerson's School.
Initially, Wyczółkowski was educated under the guidance of Aleksander Kamiński and Rafał Hadziewicz, eventually becoming a student of Wojciech Gerson.
His next stage of development and technique configuration took place in Munich, in the company of Alexander Wagner. During this period, Wyczółkowski created veristic studies of women and drew in detail, “as if he were embroidering” or “weaving forms with lines” of the Gothic towers of Krakow, remember Maria Twarowska in his seminal work on Leon Wyczółkowski.
He continued to paint all his life and receive attention as a prolific artist, although it was difficult for him to surprise the public with something new in art, considering the achievements of his contemporaries, prominent Polish painters such as the Gierymski brothers, Podkowiński, Pankiewicz, Witkiewicz, Chełmoński, Noakowski, Wyspiański, Chmielowski, Rodakowski and Malczewski.
In addition, famous writers, theater actors, musicians and politicians had a significant impact on the development of ideological, patriotic and religious attitudes, which did not give Wyczółkowski the plane he deserved.
Finally, on December 27, 1936 in Warsaw, the workaholic died after a serious illness. He was buried in the Wtelno parish cemetery according to his will, on December 30, on the road he frequently traveled between Bydgoszcz and Gościeradz, rushing to his magical studio with a window overlooking the garden.
