Jan Błoński

Witkacy: Artmaster, Philosopher, and Aesthete

About the Author

Witkacy cannot be read or observed with indifference. Captivating for some, and annoying for others, he is always astonishing. This fascinating painter, playwright, prose-writer, and philosopher (1885-1939) was one of the most extraordinary and multi-faceted personalities in the world of the arts in early 20th-century Poland. During his lifetime his original ideas and unconventional lifestyle evoked controversies. Real recognition for him came only posthumously. His plays have been translated into several languages and performed in theatres all over the world. This is the second and last past of Blonski's monograph on Witkacy. It presents the world of this artist's novels and plays. The first part, entitled Od Stasia do Witkacego, had an excellent reception.

Jan Błoński has been grappling with Witkacy since the age of 32. We have been watching their psychological tug-of-war as if it were a tantalising show, and have been surprised again and again by the unexpected ideas (Janusz Degler).