Night moth (19th Century) by Leon KaufmannMasovian Museum in Płock
Leon Kaufmann's "Night Moth"
The turn of the century breathes femininity, it is completely saturated with it. Especially in Art Nouveau circles, it means the kingdom of femina treated both subjectively and with the highest respect for her, and instrumentally, in duplicating a shallow, schematic image.
Spring (20th Century) by Teodor AxentowiczMasovian Museum in Płock
"Spring" by Teodor Axentowicz
In the lavish residential interiors of the bourgeoisie hang serious or more intimate salon portraits of ladies in their full glory.
Portrait of an old woman (20th Century) by Vlastimil HofmannMasovian Museum in Płock
"Portrait of an Old Woman" by Vlastimil Hofmann
The bohemian artists simultaneously create meaningful symbolist portraits, and their heroines illustrate the eternal process of transience, fluidity and fragility of human existence.
In the park (20th Century) by Władysław WankieMasovian Museum in Płock
"In the Park" by Władysław Wankie
In the paintings, reality often turns into a fairy tale or a biblical story, and the smell of spring perfumes is replaced by autumn reverie.
Salome (20th Century) by Kazimierz WasilkowskiMasovian Museum in Płock
"Salome" by Kazimierz Wasilkowski
The sophisticated symbolism of female figures, immersed in romantic surroundings, turns into legible allegories.
Old lady herding goats (20th Century) by Władysław WankieMasovian Museum in Płock
"An Old Woman Shepherd Goats" by Władysław Wankie
The compositions of early modernists inspire reflection on the existence invoked by divine will or enigmatic doom, and stretched between youth and old age, freshness and fatigue of the body, peace and restlessness of the spirit.
Frenzy of Exultations (19th Century) by Władysław PodkowińskiMasovian Museum in Płock
Władysław Podkowiński's "Frenzy of Exultation"
Also in terms of themes, the famous decadence and the demonic woman are balanced by the vitalist trend, which proclaims the belief in the permanent renewal of nature and humanity.
