These pieces will be auctioned on July 4 under the banner Art. Outlet. Sztuka dawna, offering a significant opportunity to acquire Polish artworks of historical importance made during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the Interbellum period between World War I and WWII.
Among the highlighted pieces is Wyczółkowski's 1896 oil on wood portrait of Marina Mniszech – Maria ze Skalskich Benedyktowiczowa – a Polish noblewoman who became a muse for numerous artists across various genres.
The portrait captures the historical figure who was notably married to two pretenders to the Russian throne, becoming the czarina of Russia. Her dramatic life inspired literary and theatrical works by celebrated figures such as Friedrich Schiller and Aleksander Pushkin.
Also on display is Portrait of a Lady in a Hat, an oil on canvas work by Styka, created during his time in Paris in 1886.
This portrait, showcasing an elegant lady set against an autumnal background, reflects the high social status of its subject through meticulously chosen attire, including a fashionable hat and fur.
Styka, recognized for his historical and religious paintings, studied under renowned artists at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts and other prestigious institutions.
Malczewski’s powerful Male Nude, another auction highlight, was painted during his academic studies in Paris at the École des Beaux-Arts under Henri Ernest Lehmann.
Malczewski’s work is characterized by its focus on human figures, an element central to his artistic explorations after returning from Paris.
This painting carries the highest auction estimate at PLN 120,000 (EUR 27,750) to 180,000 (EUR 41,620).
The exhibition showcases 95 paintings by Bronisława Rychter-Janowska, Michał Gorstkin Wywiórski, Abraham Neumann, Alfred Aberdam and numerous others, and includes several works by unknown artists.
It runs until July 4, will culminate in an auction at 7:00 p.m. the same day, and provides an insight into the life and works of artists who have shaped the Polish artistic landscape during an important historical period.
(rt/gs)