Inspiracje antykiem i nowy klasycyzm w twórczości Tymona Niesiołowskiego

Abstract

Antique inspirations and new classicism in the works of Tymon Niesiołowski

Tymon Niesiołowski (1882–1965) belonged to the generation of artists born in the 1880s. Following his graduation from the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, he became involved with artistic circles in Kraków-Zakopane, and subsequently in Wilno [Vilnius] and Toruń, successively joining the groups Grupa Pięciu [Group of Five] (1905–1908), Formiści [Formists] (1917–1922), Rytm [Rhythm] (1922–1932), Wileńskie Towarzystwo Artystów Plastyków [Wilno Society of Visual Artists] (1927–1933) and Grupa Toruńska [Toruń Group] (1958–1965).The artist’s style evolved from a Young Poland fascination with Stanisław Wyspiański, thanks to whom he introduced antique motifs to his work by means of references to Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. Working with the Formists, Niesiołowski represented their moderate wing, emphasizing classical thematic and formal currents that perfectly fit the trend of the return to order (New Classicism), characteristic of the Rytm Association of Polish Artists and the Wileńskie Towarzystwo Artystów Plastyków. The artist’s paintings from the interwar period reveal a skilful fusion of modernity and tradition. This tendency is visible in numerous figural compositions, his so-called bathers referring to the Arcadian myth, and his single figures in costume referring to Antiquity. The inspiration of Antiquity returned in the last decades of the artist’s work, the best example of which is his polychrome design for the frieze for the foyer of the Theater in Bydgoszcz, inspired by the literature of Antiquity.