Society of Polish Artists "Sztuka"

The Towarzystwo Artystów Polskich " Sztuka " ( Association of Polish Artists " Sztuka " ) was an association of artists in Krakow, which existed from 1897 to 1950. Its members included prominent modern artists who were closely associated with the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts. The company held more than 100 exhibitions.

History

In the early summer of 1897, an exhibition of paintings and sculptures was held in the Cloth Hall, the impetus for the founding of the Association on May 27, 1897 - gave - modeled on the German Secessionsgesellschaften. For some time were Polish artist with the conservative policies of the exhibition founded in 1854 Cracow Society of Friends of Fine Arts and the 1860 Warsaw incurred Towarzystwo Zachęty Sztuk Pieknych dissatisfied. The foundation also followed the development of comparable exhibition organizations in Europe such as the Paris Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, the Künstlerhaus Vienna and Munich and Berlin artists associations, in which the artist decided itself to be issued works.

The aim of the society was dominated by painters to raise the level of the modern Polish art. To enforce art exhibitions at home and abroad, a global representation of the various Polish art forms and a skilled selection of above-average art works should be carried out. Within a few years the Association was the most important organization for the evaluation of Polish art. He was recognized by both the Austrian government and the local Polish administration and support.

The Association organized 101 exhibitions in Poland and abroad. In Krakow has been issued annually in April or May, foreign works were mainly seen in the USA and the UK. The first international exhibition took place in 1902 in Vienna, however - at the invitation of the Vienna Secession. The last exhibition of the Society took place in Warsaw in 1950. The founding members included eminent Polish artists and teachers of the 19th century. January Stanisławski was the first chairman. According to him, Józef Chełmoński took office.

Association members (selection)

Founding members

• Teodor Axentowicz
• Józef Chełmoński
• Julian Fałat
• Jacek Malczewski
• Józef Mehoffer
• Antoni Piotrowski
• January Stanisławski
• Włodzimierz Tetmajer
• Leon Wyczółkowski
• Stanisław Wyspiański

Other members of

• Stanisław Borysowski
• Wlastimil Hofman
• Władysław Jarocki
• Stanisław Kamocki
• Stanisław Lentz
• Fryderyk Pautsch
• Ignacy Pieńkowski
• Ferdynand Ruszczyc
• Kazimierz Stabrowski