Jerzy Nowosielski "Church"

Information

Inventory no

MNS/2670/S

Department

Art department

Technique

oil

Material

canvas

Copyright classification

Description

The collection of the District Museum in Nowy Sącz includes a charming work by Jerzy Nowosielski entitled "Orthodox", purchased in 1982. The work shows a tripartite block of a wooden temple seen from the side, consisting of a high tower above the vestibule.

This is one of many works by Nowosielski, presenting Orthodox churches in his artistic output. A painter with Lemko roots, of Orthodox faith, he spent a lot of time traveling around Sanok and the Lemko region: the vicinity of Krynica, Szczawnica, Dukla and Wysowa, where he admired the local art, architecture and marveled at the beauty of the region. It was the Carpathian icon - its flatness, linearism and color contrasts - that played a very important role in shaping the artistic language of Nowosielski. The artist has developed a unique painting style, combining the language of the avant-garde with the traditions of Orthodox church art.

In an interview in 1992, the artist recalled: Hundreds of churches were annihilated in Poland - I suffered a lot because of this. Something was being destroyed that I loved very strongly, to which I was emotionally attached. And I thought to myself that if all those Orthodox churches that I admired in my youth are to disappear from the face of the earth, let at least some trace of them remain in my painting. I just started painting church portraits, church icons. Partly the ones I've seen, partly imaginary

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Bibliography: Krystyna Czerni, “Nowosielski in Małopolska. Sacred Art”, Małopolska Foundation of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Kraków 2015

Prepared by: Justyna Stasiek-Harabin