Bronisław Chromy

Sculptor, painter, playwright, and one of Poland’s most outstanding artists. He studied sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow between 1896-1901 in the studios of Konstanty Laszczka and Alfred Dauny. In 1901, after receiving a scholarship from the Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts, he left for Paris. There he met his new patrons, baron Henryk and baroness Jadwiga Trütscheli. However, never studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. In Paris, he became associated with the Polish artistic milieu, including to the Historical and Literary Society. The artist began to sculpt as a young man, inspired by folk themes. In his later years he created using symbolic trends, working in geometric forms. In the Paris period, he turned to the Art Nouveau style. His sculptural achievements were complemented by literary and painting work. His work was influenced by the art of Arnold Bocklin and Gustav Moreau. From around 1900, he exhibited mainly at artistic salons: the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, the Autumn Salon and the Independent Salon. Biegas’s works were also presented at individual exhibitions, including the Galerie des Artistes Modernes in Paris, Galerie Andre Seligmann, Galerie Bernheim-Jeune, Galerie Arts et Artistes Polonais, and also in London, St. Petersburg and Kiev. His exhibitions were widely commented on by eminent critics: Guillaume Apollinaire, Emil Verhaeren, Andr Fontaines, and Louis Vauxcelles.