A work of art – a link between the present and the past. History and patriotism in non-professional art Cover Image

Dzieło sztuki na granicy przeszłości i przyszłości. Historia i patriotyzm w sztuce nieprofesjonalnej
A work of art – a link between the present and the past. History and patriotism in non-professional art

Author(s): Aleksandra Weronika Jarysz
Subject(s): History, Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Cultural history
Published by: Instytut Slawistyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Polish history; outsider art; professional painters; folk art; primitivism

Summary/Abstract: In her article, the author discusses art of non-professional artists who shape the national identity in an original way. In the former professional art, the works which illustrated and uplifted history were very popular. This phenomenon is still present among folk, naive, intuitive artists, generally speaking – non-professionals. The work of their hands and imagination is a tool serving the purpose of national values and ideas, and is sometimes the basis for broader considerations on the human condition. They balance between historical facts and ahistorical generalities. The martyrdom of the Polish nation with emphasis on the events of WWII has been inspiring artists, stimulating their imagination and artistic creation. Therefore numerous ‘monuments of patriotic art’ can be found in the wood sculpture, ceramics, painting, and glass painting works from the art collection of the Toruń Maria Znamierowska-Prüfferowa Ethnographic Museum.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 47
  • Page Range: 104-115
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Polish