Nikifor

Nikifor ( born May 21, 1895 in Krynica -Zdrój, † October 10, 1968 in Folusz, called real name Epifaniusz Drowniak, also Nikifor Krynicki ) was a Polish painter who belonged to the ethnic minority Lemken.

Nikifor was a homeless painter " naive " images. The son of a deaf-mute beggar and an unknown father was illiterate and self-taught as a painter. His mother belonged to the western Ukrainian folk group from Lemken. He started painting around 1915, painted with watercolors on paper waste and cigarette packs. His first models were cheap postcards and the icons in the Greek Catholic Church. He prefers to paint cityscapes and self-portraits, often in uniform or in bishop's robes. Approx. 1930 people became aware for the first time on his pictures. The first exhibition was organized in Warsaw from 31 January to 8 February 1949. Only nine years later Nikifor works have been shown in the West: from May 22 to June 30, 1958 at the Paris gallery Dina Vierny, then in 1959 in Amsterdam, Brussels, Liege and in Haifa, in 1961 in the Federal Republic: in Baden- Baden, Frankfurt am Main and Hanover. After obtained his works worldwide fame. The pictures sold like hot cakes, were sold in art galleries, it even appeared fakes.

Nikifor lived almost all his life in the town of Krynica -Zdrój. He sat every day early on the promenade of 10 clock to 6 clock in the afternoon. He sold his paintings at dirt cheap spa guests. From about 1948, the art historian Andrzej Banach and the painter Marian Włosiński tried to help him, but Nikifor did not change his lifestyle.

The Polish film director Krzysztof Krauze was shooting a film about the last years of his life under the title My Nikifor. Nikifor was deceptively represented in this film by the Polish actress Krystyna really Feldman.

Nikifor

Nikifor

Nikifor

Nikifor Plaque

Nikifor Memorial

Nikifor Museum in Krynica