Jacek Malczewski

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Jacek Malczewski
Self-portrait, 1892
Born

15 July 1854
Radom, Congress Poland

Died

8 October 1929 (aged75)

Krakw, Poland

Jacek Malczewski (Polish pronunciation(helpinfo)) (15 July 1854 8 October 1929) is one of
the most revered painters of Poland, associated with the patriotic Young Poland movement
following the century of Partitions. He is regarded as father of Polish Symbolism. In his creative
output, Malczewski combined the predominant style of his times, with the historical motifs of
Polish martyrdom, the Romantic ideals of independence, the Christian and Greek traditions, folk
[1][2]
mythology, as well as his love of natural environment.
[3]
Malczewski was born in Radom, part of Congress Poland controlled by the Russian Empire.
During his childhood and early teen years he was greatly influenced by his father Julian, a
Polish patriot and social activist who introduced him to the world of Romantic literature inspired
by the November Uprising. On his mother's side, he was related to theSzymanowski family
whom they frequented on their country estate in Cygw. Similarly, the beauty of Polish
landscape and folklore had been awakened in him by Feliks Karczewski, his uncle and longtime guardian who invited future novelistAdolf Dygasiski to his estate, for Jacek's cognitive
[1]
benefit.