DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.23229#0194
CHOPIN AND THE VISUAL ARTS
ilable to the general public; unfortunately those plans came to nothing72.
Potocki participated actively in all the important enterprises undertaken
by or for the University, including the designing of commemorative me-
dals and medals bestowed as University awards. Recent research has
demonstrated that he had a decisive influence on the construction and
appearance of the beautiful building of the Astronomical Observatory in
the Botanical Gardens73.
Chopin may have been one of those fascinated with the works of the
knowledgeable aristocrat, since he possessed his book On Articulation
and Style. Whether he was familiar with his above-mentioned publica-
tions is unknown. Some scholars believe that Frederick attended soirees
organized by Potocki's wife Aleksandra74. The way in which Chopin refer-
red in the Parisian letter cited at the beginning of this chapter to the en-
gravings after Rafael, Rubens and Poussin, as well as to Gavarni's dra-
wings suggests that already in Warsaw he was familiar with this branch
of art. In fact, the Print Room with all the treasures from the collections of
King Stanislaus Augustus and Count Potocki was located less than fifty
meters from his home.
The functioning
of the Fine Arts Department
On 11th February 1817 Gazeta Warszawska reported:
The General Council of the Royal University of Warsaw announces
that on the 20th day of February in the Fine Arts Department [...] in the
Kazimierzowski Palace, the following courses shall begin: 1) a course in
Illustration - daily [...] two-hours long, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., extending
from the basics up to oil painting of figures and painting composition;
2) a course in Architecture - daily [...] two-hours long,[...] from 8 a.m. to
10 a.m. [...], from the essentials, id est starting from the smallest build-
ings up to the most majestic edifices [...]. The duration of the course [...]
shall be three years. Applications will be received by Count Sierakowski,
member of the General Council, in Kerner House at Dfuga Street [...]; the
applicants are requested to provide samples of their works [...]75.
The announcement in the newspaper referred only to classes on draw-
ing, painting and architecture, yet other departments were established
soon after, as announced in the preceding statute. From the year 1817
Antoni Blank held not only the post of the restorer of plaster casts, but
was also a teacher of art; only in 1819 was the academic title of Professor
conferred on him (fig. 200). Blank was also responsible for the organi-
sation of several Fine Arts exhibitions. He taught painting to some indi-
Fig. 200. Antoni Blank, Self-portrait, oil on vidual students, one of whom was most probably, as already said, Jan
canvas, 1820s, MNW. Biatobtocki.
210
ilable to the general public; unfortunately those plans came to nothing72.
Potocki participated actively in all the important enterprises undertaken
by or for the University, including the designing of commemorative me-
dals and medals bestowed as University awards. Recent research has
demonstrated that he had a decisive influence on the construction and
appearance of the beautiful building of the Astronomical Observatory in
the Botanical Gardens73.
Chopin may have been one of those fascinated with the works of the
knowledgeable aristocrat, since he possessed his book On Articulation
and Style. Whether he was familiar with his above-mentioned publica-
tions is unknown. Some scholars believe that Frederick attended soirees
organized by Potocki's wife Aleksandra74. The way in which Chopin refer-
red in the Parisian letter cited at the beginning of this chapter to the en-
gravings after Rafael, Rubens and Poussin, as well as to Gavarni's dra-
wings suggests that already in Warsaw he was familiar with this branch
of art. In fact, the Print Room with all the treasures from the collections of
King Stanislaus Augustus and Count Potocki was located less than fifty
meters from his home.
The functioning
of the Fine Arts Department
On 11th February 1817 Gazeta Warszawska reported:
The General Council of the Royal University of Warsaw announces
that on the 20th day of February in the Fine Arts Department [...] in the
Kazimierzowski Palace, the following courses shall begin: 1) a course in
Illustration - daily [...] two-hours long, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., extending
from the basics up to oil painting of figures and painting composition;
2) a course in Architecture - daily [...] two-hours long,[...] from 8 a.m. to
10 a.m. [...], from the essentials, id est starting from the smallest build-
ings up to the most majestic edifices [...]. The duration of the course [...]
shall be three years. Applications will be received by Count Sierakowski,
member of the General Council, in Kerner House at Dfuga Street [...]; the
applicants are requested to provide samples of their works [...]75.
The announcement in the newspaper referred only to classes on draw-
ing, painting and architecture, yet other departments were established
soon after, as announced in the preceding statute. From the year 1817
Antoni Blank held not only the post of the restorer of plaster casts, but
was also a teacher of art; only in 1819 was the academic title of Professor
conferred on him (fig. 200). Blank was also responsible for the organi-
sation of several Fine Arts exhibitions. He taught painting to some indi-
Fig. 200. Antoni Blank, Self-portrait, oil on vidual students, one of whom was most probably, as already said, Jan
canvas, 1820s, MNW. Biatobtocki.
210