Reproduction of 'The last chords of Fryderyk Chopin' (20. Century) by Paulussen and Co.The Fryderyk Chopin Institute
Frédéric Chopin was one of the most famous composers of the Romantic Period. Born in Poland in 1810, Chopin was a virtuoso pianist and a child prodigy. By the time Chopin left Poland for Paris at the age of 20, he’d already completed his musical training and written a number of accomplished works.
Bust of Frédéric Chopin (20th Century) by Janusz TomasińskiCultural Center of Milanówek
Chopin died in Paris in 1849 at the age of just 39. At his request, his sister Ludwika took his heart back to Poland in 1850. The life and works of Frédéric Chopin are still celebrated around the world, and nowhere more so than in his home country where this beautiful bust is located.
The bust was made by Polish artist Janusz Tomasiński and is located in the garden of the St. Hedwig of Silesia Church in Milanówek. During the Second World War, Chopin’s heart was transferred from a church in Warsaw to St. Hedwig of Silesia for safekeeping, and so the town has a strong connection to the composer.
The work is the second bust of Chopin made by Tomasiński (the first is kept inside Frédéric Chopin School Complex no 3 in Milanówek). It was first unveiled in 1998, during the 70th birthday celebrations of the church.
The artist went to great pains to perfectly recreate the composer’s face. The task was made easier by the fact that friends of Chopin had made his death mask shortly after he passed away. There were also numerous portraits of Chopin made during his lifetime. This gave Tomasiński a choice of accurate likenesses to work from when creating his bust.
Chopin Frederik Francois 1810-1849.LIFE Photo Collection
If you're fascinating by Chopin, you can learn more about the composer's life and works here.
