Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, known as Witkacy, is a figure who defies categorization. A painter, playwright, philosopher, and photographer, founder of the Portrait Company, a scandalous figure, and a visionary. His work, imbued with grotesque elements, irony, and profound reflections on the condition of humanity and civilization, continues to fascinate, provoke controversy, and captivate new generations.
To celebrate the 140th anniversary of Witkacy’s birth, the Warsaw-based Common Arts Foundation invites you to a unique exhibition titled “Witkacy (Un)known,” featuring works of the artist from private collections. This is a rare opportunity to see pieces that are not normally available to the public, offering a fresh perspective on his legacy.
📆 Dates: February 21 – March 15, 2025
📍 Location: Common Arts Foundation, Sienna 83/802 (8th floor), Warsaw
🎟️ Admission: Free
Witkacy – an artist ahead of his time
Witkacy is one of the most intriguing figures in 20th-century Polish art. He experimented with form, color, and light, constantly searching for new ways to express reality. In painting and photography, he combined realism with expression, while in literature and philosophy, he crafted catastrophic visions of the future that – as we notice today – turned out to be prophetic in many aspects.
Although he is primarily associated with the portraits created as part of the Portrait Company, his body of work was much more diverse. He painted landscapes, nudes, genre scenes, and also experimented with formism. However, many of his works have been lost – some were destroyed during World War II, while others remain in private collections and are rarely shown to the public.
The Unknown Face of Witkacy – What Will We See at the Exhibition?
The exhibition “Witkacy (Un)known” is a unique opportunity to see works that are not typically displayed in museums and galleries. The curators have ensured that the exhibition showcases various stages of the artist’s creative journey, presenting both his paintings and photographs.
Among the exhibited works, you will find:
🎨 “Die Atleten haben immer Recht” (“Athletes Are Always Right”), 1922 – a formist watercolor from the collection of the collector and founder of the Foundation, Jakub Mrówka. This exceptional piece is notable because Witkacy’s watercolors are rare, with only a few surviving examples.
🖌 Portrait of an Unknown Woman, 1929 – a painting that fits into one of Witkacy’s most popular compositional types, the “pedestal” portrait (head or bust on a pedestal).
🧒 Portrait of Kazimierz Burnat – a depiction of a child, capturing Witkacy’s characteristic style in painting children’s faces: full of expression, often bordering on caricature.
📸 Photograph of Witkacy as Napoleon – a fascinating image of the artist taken by Tadeusz Langier. This is another example of how Witkacy enjoyed playing with conventions and creating his own image in various ways.
🎭 Portrait of Jerzy Schroeder, 1931 – rediscovered in private collections thanks to the Catalogue of Collected Works, this piece is a valuable contribution to the study of Witkacy’s legacy.
Why is it worth seeing this exhibition?
🖼 A Unique Opportunity – The works presented come from private collections, so they are rarely seen in person.
🎨 Variety of Techniques – The exhibition features watercolors, pastels, and photographs, offering a deeper understanding of the artist’s broad range of creativity.
🎭 A New Perspective on Witkacy – Works from different periods of his life shed light on lesser-known aspects of his art.
📖 Educational Value – This is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge of one of the most important Polish artists of the 20th century.
Curators on the Exhibition
Many of Witkacy’s works have not survived to this day – some were lost during World War II, while others are only known from old photographs or archival publications. The exhibition “Witkacy (Un)known” is a rare opportunity to see works by the artist that have remained in private collections until now. The organizers emphasize that presenting these exceptional pieces aligns with the mission of the Common Arts Foundation, which aims to expand access to Polish art and uncover lesser-known chapters of the work of outstanding artists.
Practical Information
🔹 Exhibition Opening:
📅 Friday, February 21, 2025, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🔹 Opening Hours on Other Days:
🛑 Monday – Closed
✅ Tuesday–Wednesday – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
✅ Thursday – 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
✅ Friday – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
✅ Saturday – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🛑 Sunday – Closed
📌 Location:
📍 Common Arts Foundation, Sienna 83/802 (8th floor), Warsaw
🎟 Free Admission!
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the lesser-known side of Witkacy! The exhibition will run until March 15, 2025, so be sure to plan your visit in advance.
If, after visiting the “Witkacy (Un)known” exhibition, you’re in the mood for more cultural discoveries, it’s worth heading to the nearby Stacja Muzeum – one of the most fascinating places dedicated to the history of railways in Poland. The museum is housed in the former Warsaw Główna Osobowa train station (ul. Towarowa 3) and features an impressive collection of locomotives, carriages, and railway-related exhibits. It’s a great spot for both history and technology enthusiasts as well as families with children. A walk from the Common Arts Foundation to Stacja Muzeum takes just a few minutes, so it’s worth combining these two visits for an inspiring day in Warsaw’s Wola district.