Engraved and Embodied: A Journey Through the Art of Kalisz
Discover a world where line, shadow, and form speak. From prints to silver, each object tells a story. This exhibition reveals the quiet language of crafted beauty.
Still Life (1853) by Johann Strehl (1801–1862)District Museum of the Kalisz Land
Still Life – Johann Strehl (1801–1862)
A tall bouquet of red, pink, and white peonies with yellow and blue pansies in a vase on a stone windowsill. Wilted flowers rest nearby; mountains appear in the distance.
Anemones – Olga Boznanska (1865–1940)
Red, pink, and pale violet anemones in a tall glass vase set on a table. The background is ochre-gray with dark gray accents. In the upper right corner, the signature "Olga Boznańska" is visible.
Portrait of Czesław Zawadziński – Olga Boznanska (1865–1940)
A seated man in a dark grey suit and tie, depicted in an en face view, shown from the waist up to the knees. The background is grey with a slight greenish tint.
Portrait of Major Łukasz Szczepkowski – unknown
Portrait of a young dark-haired man in a navy military uniform with yellow epaulets and silver aiguillettes, set against a steel-gray background. Decorations indicate the rank of major and honors from the Russian Empire.
Motherhood (1962) by Tadeusz Koscielniak (1910–1996)District Museum of the Kalisz Land
Motherhood – Tadeusz Koscielniak (1910–1996)
Bust-length portrait of a woman holding a book before her eyes. Her angular face and flowing hair are rendered with bold, abstract lines. The drawing in black and green ink is strongly geometric. Signed “Tad. Kościelniak / 1962.”
Portrait of Ludwik Scholtz – Bust-length portrait of an older man in three-quarter view, set in an oval frame. He wears a gray jacket, cravat, and pince-nez. His round face, bald head, and sagging chin are rendered against a neutral background. Portrait of Malwina Scholtz née Rogozińska – Bust-length portrait of a woman in three-quarter view, set in an oval frame. She wears a black velvet jacket with a white embroidered collar and cameo brooch. Her dark hair is styled in a heavy chignon.
Silver Salt Cellar – Johann Friedrich Suck, silversmith
Salt cellar on an oval base with palmette ornament, featuring a sculpted eagle supporting a gilded oval bowl. The bowl is held by vine-shaped handles ending in snake heads. Engraved with initials "M.P." and Kalisz silver marks.
Silver Sugar Bowl – Johann Friedrich Suck, silversmith
Oval sugar bowl on four spherical feet, with sides decorated in a punched rose vine motif. The lid features a sculpted grapevine plaque. Engraved with initials "I.S." and silver marks of Kalisz, “11” lot, and the goldsmith’s name.
Silver Tazza with Crystal Bowl (1844-1852) by Stanislaw Sliwienski, silversmith from KaliszDistrict Museum of the Kalisz Land
Silver Tazza with Crystal Bowl – Stanislaw Sliwienski
Tazza with a nine-sided base and a sculpted swan as the stem, its wings raised and neck curved. It supports a round, cut crystal bowl with a serrated, flower-like rim. Marked with silver assay “11” lots, maker’s name, and city of origin.
We Were Here, We Are, We Will Be (1971) by Andrzej Niekrasz (1934–2013)District Museum of the Kalisz Land
We Were Here, We Are, We Will Be – Andrzej Niekrasz
A dense network of fine lines creates interwoven, almost organic forms—some resembling soldiers in helmets. The abstract composition shifts between flatness and depth. Titled “We were here, we are, we will be,” drypoint 3/5, signed Andrzej Niekrasz, 1971.
Monks (1902) by Jan Czeslaw Moniuszko (1853–1908)District Museum of the Kalisz Land
Monks – Jan Czeslaw Moniuszko (1853–1908)
In a dim interior, three monks in brown habits are shown at mealtime. One pours beer, another rubs his hands, and a third cuts bread. Pewter plates, ham, and radishes fill the table. An image of Our Lady of Ostra Brama hangs on the wall. Signed “J.C. Moniuszko 1902.”
Boats – Four stylized boats with bulbous hulls and tall masts appear one above the other against shimmering water. Diagonal strokes and tonal washes evoke movement and depth across the surface. "Landscape" (from the series Cuban Memories) – In the foreground, low cactus-like plants appear against a dark wash. Behind them, mangrove-like shrubs and scattered stones lead to a water surface reflecting the obscured sun. Tonal washes suggest depth in the water and sky.
Dance I – Set against a gray background, three figures perform a ritual dance. In the foreground, a woman in a bull mask and flowing dress shakes maracas. Behind her, two men in loose trousers move rhythmically. Tonal washes emphasize the texture of the cardboard. Ceibas – Against a light gray, delicately washed background, two trees with characteristic bottle-shaped trunks and sprawling, nearly bare branches are depicted in outline.
Silver Buliera (Vessel for Boiling Water) (before 1854) by Johann Friedrich Suck, Kalisz silversmithDistrict Museum of the Kalisz Land
Silver Buliera – Johann Friedrich Suck
Tall vessel on a triangular base with three S-shaped feet and a suspended burner. The melon-like body has vine-shaped handles ending in swan heads. A sea monster-shaped spout is topped with a parrot finial. Marked with silver assay “11,” maker’s mark, and city name.
Silver Sugar Bowl – Karl Leopold Friedrich Schaube
Rectangular sugar bowl on four lion’s paw feet, with bulging sides decorated with acanthus and campanula motifs. Topped with a seated cherub finial. Marked “Kalisch,” “Schaube,” and silver assays from both Kalisch and Franz Rumwolf’s Viennese workshop.
Silver standing candlestick – Karl Leopold Friedrich Schaube
Set on a six-petaled base, the baluster-shaped shaft and collars flow seamlessly, covered in rococo-style leaf and stem motifs. Rooster combs accent transitions. Marked with “Kalisch,” silver assay “11,” the maker’s name, and letter “B” in an oval.
This exhibition presents a diverse array of artworks and decorative objects—from portraits and prints to exquisitely crafted silverware. These pieces reflect not only the aesthetics of their respective periods but also the symbolic and functional roles of form. It is a narrative of beauty expressed through line, geometry, and detail.
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