Artist with a model

Zygmunt Waliszewski's "Artist with a Model" comes from a pivotal period in the artist's life, shortly after his return to Poland from Paris in 1931. A prominent member of the Kapist movement (also known as the Polish Colorists), Waliszewski's work often reflected a fascination with the old masters he copied at the Louvre, alongside the vibrant influences of Cézanne, van Gogh, and Matisse. This painting, created in 1930, likely predates his full immersion back into the Polish art scene, where he would design scenery, create posters, and befriend the Polish Formists. Waliszewski, known for his portraits and figural compositions, brings a unique blend of traditional subject matter and avant-garde sensibilities to this piece, characteristic of an artist who had actively participated in Futurist groups in Tbilisi and later studied under Józef Pankiewicz in both Kraków and Paris. His sudden death in 1936 cut short a promising career, making works like this important windows into his artistic development.