Andrzej PRONASZKO (1888 - 1961), Venus (1951)
84.5 x 51.5 cm
oil, canvas
Signed and dated p.d.: andPronaszko 51.
Andrzej Pronaszko (1888 - 1961) - painter, graphic artist, prominent stage designer; younger brother of painter Zbigniew Pronaszko. In 1906 he attended the Industrial School in Cracow. In 1909-1910, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow under L.Wyczółkowski and S.Dębicki. He continued his studies in Munich and Paris. In 1911-1913, he co-organized exhibitions of Independents in Cracow. During World War I, he and his brother stayed in Zakopane, where, among other things, he was involved in designing scenery. In 1917 he was one of the founders of the Polish Expressionists group (from 1919 the Formists), with which he later exhibited. From 1927 he belonged to the Praesens group. His painting work was very diverse, moving from Impressionism and Modernism to Cubism, Synthetism or Constructivism. The artist participated in numerous exhibitions showing his paintings both at home and abroad. In 1937 he was awarded a silver medal at the International Art and Technology Exhibition in Paris. As a stage designer, he worked with theaters in Warsaw, Lodz, Cracow and Vilnius. He worked with the greatest directors of his time (L. Schiller, W. Horzyca). In 1957 he was a professor at the State Higher School of Theater in Warsaw. His stage design was characterized by an economical form and architectural construction of decorations. In 1955, he received a first degree state award.
