The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the Final Day in the Ghetto: 4 Rare Works by Polish Artist Stanislaw ...

The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the Final Day in the Ghetto: 4 Rare Works by Polish Artist Stanislaw Konarz-Konarzewski .(1914-1999)

Four original paintings illustrating heart-wrenching scenes from the Warsaw Ghetto during both the famous uprising, and the last day of the Jews in the city.

These historical-documentary works were created by the talented Polish artist Stanisław Konarz-Konarzewski, who lived between 1914-1999. One of the paintings was executed by the artist in the prison, where he was confined for many years.

The series of paintings visually recounts the events that befell the Jews of Warsaw, both in and out of the ghetto. In one work, Konarz-Konarzewski depicts a horrific scene of Jews being executed by a Nazi firing squad, with the houses of the ghetto visible in the background. Another work shows a painful scene in which Nazi soldiers break into a synagogue while the Torah scroll is being removed. Frightened Jews are seen trying to protect the holy Torah scroll from the Nazis. The remaining two works depict fierce battles in the decimated Warsaw Ghetto, with Jewish fighters confronting a German tank.

The four works were painted by Stanislaw using gouache on cardboard paper. All are signed by the artist. One piece is signed and dated 1946, and another 1948.

Stanisław Konarz-Konarzewski was born in Warsaw in 1914. He earned an honorary degree from the Guild of Fine Arts in Monte Carlo, and was awarded the 'Grand Prix' in five international exhibitions.

Konarz-Konarzewski acquired his artistic training in Krakow, Munich and Paris, and taught painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Lviv. During the Second World War he served as a courier for the Home Army, the dominant resistance movement in German-occupied Poland. In 1947 he was banned by the communist authorities for belonging to the underground and spent many years in prisons throughout the Soviet Union. In 1973 he managed to leave Poland and since then lived and worked in Paris, Munich and Canada. His work is characterized by their historical, religious and biblical themes, and icons made by his hands adorn churches throughout Eastern Europe. He particularly focused on the history of the Polish people, the history of Polish Jews and Polish folk culture.

Dimensions: 

Inside the Synagogue: 48 x 33.5 cm (64.5 x 49.5 cm framed)

Firing Squad: 46.5 x 32 cm (64 x 49 cm framed)

Battle in the the Warsaw Ghetto (color): 34 x 54 cm (51.5 x 71 framed)

Battle in the Warsaw Ghetto (sepia tones): 64 x 50 cm (89 x 74 cm framed)

A historical work by a Polish artist who documented the tragic events he witnessed with his own eyes. A rare item.