This year marks Olga Boznańska’s (1865–1940) 160th anniversary of birth and 85th anniversary of death. We are celebrating both occasions with a display of nearly thirty works by the painter - belong to the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

Olga Boznańska is counted among the greatest woman artists in Europe. Born in Kraków to a Frenchwoman and a Pole, she began her artistic education there in 1884, joining the Faculty of Arts of the Adrian Baraniecki Higher Courses for Women. The following year, she left for Munich, where she enrolled in Carl Kricheldorf’s private studio, also attending classes by Wilhelm Dürr. The active social life she led there concentrated around the studio of Polish painter Józef Brandt as well as those of German artists. By 1889, Boznańska had established her own atelier. In 1898, she became a member the prestigious Society of Polish Artists “Sztuka”. Encouraged by these successes, she relocated to Paris in order to completely devote herself to the fine arts. At a time when women were not admitted to art schools, Boznańska honed the craft of painting to perfection, developed her owned style and made her mark on the exhibition circuit. While she gained widespread renown as a portrait artist, she also enjoyed still life themes. Boznańska never painted en plein air as her entire life revolved around her studios. She spent her summers in Kraków, painting in her family home at 21 Wolska Street.

Boznańska’s ateliers have passed into legend. They hosted social gatherings of international guests and saw the creation of the characteristic, expressive psychological portraits which brought her worldwide fame. In Paris, the artist also pursued teaching: from 1908, she was an instructor at the private Académie de la Grande Chaumière, and gave painting revisions at her own studio. She exhibited her work regularly, participating in the Parisian Salon of the Société nationale des beaux-arts for 32 years. She was awarded the Officer’s Cross and the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. Three of Boznańska’s paintings that were purchased by the French government now belong to the collection of the Musée d’Orsay, where they will be on show until the end of 2025 in recognition of the fact that she was named Patron of the Year by the Polish Parliament.

Curated by: Renata Higersberger

Operator of the National Museum in Warsaw:
the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage

Museum Patrons:
PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna
ORLEN

Museum Partners:

Totalizator Sportowy
KPMG
PKP Intercity