Sculpture "F. CHOPPEN PLAYS A CONCERTO FOR FOUR HANDS"

Information

Copyright classification

Description

A polychrome wooden sculpture, dimensions: length 33 cm, height 23 cm. The work was created in 1975 and joined the museum's collection in 1976. The sculpture was created by Piotr Kwit /1929-2002/, a painter and sculptor from Zalesie near Limanowa, considered one of the most outstanding contemporary folk artists in Poland.

He lived a solitary life. His delicacy and sensitivity were incompatible with the harsh realities of life and work in the highland countryside. He "escaped" into the realm of creativity. He retreated to painting and music, which he loved, to nature, to the mountains and the birds, which he not only painted but also fed, spending almost all of his meager income on this. He has been compared to St. Francis, and his figure can certainly embody a modern, Carpathian incarnation of the saint of Assisi. He shared everything he had, and he had so little, with those he considered even weaker than himself: the birds, who repaid him with trust and true friendship.
The proximity of the Gorce nature, alongside painting, sculpture, and music, were the greatest values ​​in the life of this extraordinary man and artist. Piotr Kwit had a very strong emotional connection to his works, cherishing them until the end of his life. He created not for money, but from an inner need, which is why he poured so much emotion into each piece and was reluctant to part with it.

Endowed with many talents, he pursued several creative disciplines simultaneously. In addition to woodcarving and painting, he also played the organ in the church in Zalesie. Although he lived in difficult financial circumstances, the most important piece of furniture in his tiny room was an ancient harmonium, which he played beautifully. He also sang psalms and composed music for them. He sculpted and painted numerous works depicting outstanding musicians.
He came from a rural background and drew inspiration from it. However, his work transcends the conventional boundaries of contemporary folk art. He was a true artistic individualist, and his innate talent allowed him to develop his own, distinct style. The Sądecka Land Museum has nearly forty of the artist's works in its collection, several of which are featured in the permanent exhibition of Carpathian folk sculpture in the Galician Town.

Author: Zbigniew Wolanin