Man with children

Zygmunt Waliszewski's "Man with children" from 1916 offers an early glimpse into the artist's developing style, created during a pivotal period in his life. Born in Saint Petersburg to Polish parents, Waliszewski spent his childhood in Tbilisi, Georgia, where he began his artistic studies and participated in the avant-garde scene. This painting dates from his time fighting with the Russian army during World War I, before his return to Tbilisi in 1917 and subsequent immersion in Russian Futurism. While specific details about this particular work are scarce, it likely reflects the influences and artistic ferment he experienced in the vibrant art communities of the Caucasus and Russia, preceding his move to Poland and later studies in Kraków and Paris. Waliszewski would become a key member of the Kapist movement, known for their focus on color and plein-air painting, and would also engage with Polish Formism, creating portraits, figural compositions, landscapes, caricatures, and grotesque scenes throughout his career.