2024-11-19
École de Paris is a term for the international artistic cluster in Paris. In the French capital, many interesting and very different artistic phenomena took place in the first half of the 20th century. Artists, most often of Jewish origin, came to the Montparnasse district, dreaming of freedom and recognition.
The style of each of the artists included in the École de Paris is different. The artists used different techniques, addressed different subjects, and were inspired by different eras. Despite this abundance of forms, the art of the Parisian artistic cluster differed from avant-garde art. It tended more towards traditional imagery. The newcomers, mainly from Central and Eastern Europe, created a network of contacts, met, made friends, and spent time together. Their common bonding ground was the Montparnasse district, where there were plenty of cafés, night bars, magazine editorial offices, bookshops and theatres.
The most eminent artists of Polish origin working in Paris certainly included Mojżesz Kisling (1891-1953), Mela Muter, Eugeniusz Zak, alias Eugeniusz Żak (1884-1953) or Alicja Halicka (1889-1974).
Moses Kisling earned in Paris the nickname "Prince of Montparnasse". In his most famous works, mostly portraits with melancholic features, one can notice the influence of Amedeo Modigliani's work. His paintings are now highly valued on the antiquarian market. Mela Muter, on the other hand, was in Paris from 1901, where she attended classes at the Académie Colarossi. Her style can be described as original, growing out of the post-impressionist tradition. Her works were highly valued by Henri Matisse. Eugeniusz Żak painted from his imagination, very rarely taking inspiration from nature. In his works, you can notice a fairy-tale character, inspiration with the Renaissance and melancholy.
A half-act by Alicja Halicka will be up for auction at an Old Art Auction from 15 to 18 December this year. The painting shows a young, black-haired woman subtly playing with her hair.
