Dimensions: 160 x 140 cm
signed p.g.: 'TP.'
signed, dated and described on the reverse: 'TERESA PĄGOWSKA 1976/79 | VENETIAN CARNAVAL | 160 x 140 cm'.
on the reverse a mounting note
Origins
private collection, Warsaw
Biography
Graduated from the Poznan State Academy of Fine Arts - painting and wall techniques under Waclaw Taranczewski and Eustachy Wasilkowski. During her studies, she was an assistant to Jacek Piasecki. From 1950-64 she was a teacher at the State Higher School of Fine Arts in Gdansk, after which she moved to Warsaw. After a break of several years, she continued teaching: in 1971-73 at the PWSSP in Lodz (now the Academy of Fine Arts), and then for many years at the Warsaw academy. In 1988 she was awarded the title of full professor. The artist has always betrayed an uncommon color sensitivity, developed under the influence of the art of Piotr Potworowski. However, she focused on the human figure. In the 1960s, her paintings were dominated by the motif of a highly deformed human (mainly female) figure, treated in an abbreviated manner, often shown in unexpected, dynamic, often dance-like, arrangements. Since then, the human figure has been present in this painting as a compact, strong silhouette devoid of individual features. The artist readily operated with violent clashes of summed shapes and contrasts of patches of uniform color. Through this conventionality, she deprives her characters of unambiguous character.
