mixed technique, panel; 117 x 177 cm;
Signed and dated l. g.: PINX. J. DUDA-GRACZ: PERSONES / H. VANIEK: PLEIN AIR AD. 1966; DEC.
Provenance:
- purchase from the collection of the artist's family
- private collection, Poland
A unique example of the youthful work of Jerzy Duda-Gracz. The painting was created during the period of crystallization of the artist's painting style, with an already visible penchant for grotesque deformation of figures, exaggeration of gestures and expressive drama of the scene. The monumental format of the painting, references to the style of the works of the old masters and painterly creation on the border of realism and caricature, create a masterpiece combination. The landscape layer visible in the painting was prepared by Henryk Wańek, while the figures were fully painted by Jerzy Duda-Gracz.
The figures depicted in the painting are students and lecturers of the Krakow branch of the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, headed by Professor Rafal Pomorski, an educator from 1947-1974. In the painting he is depicted on horseback, wearing a scarlet cloak and armor protecting his torso - he acts as the leader of the merry band. This is also well reflected in the painting's title, which emphasizes the professor's respect and rank. The artist boldly portrays his college friends in a study of nudes. With his usual humor, he depicts some as angels, others with interesting attributes, such as a rolling press or a roll of drawings. After all, the Katowice branch was famous for its excellent Department of Graphic Arts.
An excellent description of the painting, along with a depiction of the figures in it, was edited by Ms. Natalia Kruszyna, curator of the Museum of the History of Katowice, an expert on the work of Jerzy Duda-Gracz and author of the publication. The following quote is from the artist's monograph that is being prepared:
In [...] during the next classes of the Studio without Pomerantz, instead, in a casual and youthful mood (with the participation of "low-percentage doping agents"), the idea for another joke was born. And a surprise for the professor [...] And then someone, somewhere, found an old school blackboard, sturdy, well-framed - it was enough to properly prime and get to work... A sizable format.... At first everyone was supposed to paint, everyone something he could do best, there were plenty of concepts, but when it came to what to do, it was difficult to agree... Finally Henryk Waniek declared that he himself would create a huge landscape background, of course in his own, not professorial style. Gentle emerald hills, a ribbon of river, leafless trees and a lonely chapel at the top. And in the sky, there's drama: billowing luminous clouds are choked by a black abyss with a fiery glow - it's unclear whether from a dying battlefield or just from the sun disappearing behind a hill. Into this composition, willingly or unwillingly, had to fit Duda-Gracz, who, not waiting for the rest, decided to finish the work himself because the deadline was approaching. And so the Apotheosis of Commander Pomerantz in the costume of a Roman emperor on a white horse was created, combined with the Last Judgment for insubordinate students, somewhat Memlingian in its carnality, and especially with the condemnation of Don George, cast down into the infernal depths with the symbols of his sins: a giddily crooked virgin garland and a glass of wine. [...] Under the hooves of the victorious steed lies Tadeusz Siara (who just happened to get into some kind of scuffle with the professor); at the saddle clings the assistant Bertold Kuszka (until, that Duda mischief-maker!); with a basket of fruit on her head, the goddess of plenty - Dorota Kabiesz, right behind her, with a bottle Zbigniew Pieczykolan; next to her, Henryk Waniek and Katarzyna Górecka as Adam and Eve with a yellow duck; with his back, with a roll of drawings under his arm, Tomasz Jura hurries to the next publishing house; a blonde with a placard Strangers are not allowed.... is Jadwiga Debolaska; while the stone slab that is about to crush the debauchee is carried by Marian Zawisla, his future wife, Zofia Gorska, with an accusatory gesture, pushes the flirt into the grave niche with her foot; everything is watched by Malgorzata Komorowska, who is working at the roller press and is probably about to process it into graphics, and on the other bank of the river stands modestly, always somewhat alienated Ewa Wasserteil. Cupids Marian Imanski and Zdzislaw Jarzabek hold an oak wreath over the chief's head; Jan Dubiel presents the master's work entitled The Sink, and Florian Nycz on the trumpet wins his praise and announces the coming time of judgment.
Natalia Kruszyna, Pomorski's Studio A.D. 1966. DEC. in Jerzy Duda-Gracz. An Attempt at Reconstruction (monograph in preparation)
The painting was painted during Jerzy Duda-Gracz's studies at the aforementioned department of the Katowice branch. He received his diploma in 1968 for a series of oil paintings, prints and drawings on Jewish themes - Judaica. Interestingly, during his studies, he taught theater and art classes at the Jewish Social and Cultural Society in Katowice. Jewish motifs took firm root in Duda-Gracz's compositions. They recurred in his work until the 1990s.
The painting, which comes from the collection of the artist's family, is one of the early works rarely seen on the auction market and may be an important addition to the artist's collector's oeuvre.
*all rights reserved - Polski Dom Aukcyjny Wojciech Śladowski (www.polskidomaukcyjny.com.pl)
