Author: Alfons Karny (1901, Białystok – 1989, Warsaw)
Patinated bronze, contemporary cast signed on the left side of the square base: KARNY
At front facsimile signature: I J Paderewski
Property of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute in Warsaw,
Deposit at DPT in Radziejowice since 2008
The sculpture portrays Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941), a charismatic pianist and composer, great philanthropist, remarkable statesman, and one of The Fathers of Polish Independence.
The classic front portrait is limited to a fully sculptural head, resting on an elongated neck. The handsome face of this great Polish man, recognisable both in Poland and abroad, with its characteristic flaming red, “lion-like” mane of youth, is here shown in the prime of life. Remaining thick back swept hair, reveal the high forehead scored with a few grooves and wrinkled between the two lifted brows. The clearly defined bone structure visible under smoothly modelled cheeks, geometrical nose, and deep-set eyes slightly covered by heavy eyelids, framed by the eaglelike brows, as well as pursed lips framed by the slight moustache give the face a severe expression. Despite the monumentalised form, the realistic treatment allows for easy identification of the sitter.
The portrait in Radziejowice is a late creation of Alfons Karny; however, the topic came back several times during the generativity of the artist. The first plaster model of Ignacy Jan, Karny created in 1937, but it was destroyed during the World War II during the fire in the artist’s studio. The bronze version was taken to 1939 New York World’s Fair, from which it did not come back. There were also two versions in granite: in 1938 and 1944.
Text: Elżbieta Charazińska
Editing: Beata Fiugajska
Photo: Piotr Ligier