In the Intertext Room at the Gallery of 20th-Century Polish Art in the MNK Main Building, visitors can view an exhibition of sculptures by Ludwik Puget and a set of furniture designed by the artist.
Ludwik Puget (1877–1942) – sculptor, draughtsman, art historian, journalist and satirist, a participant in Kraków’s artistic and social life during the Young Poland period. He took part in performances by the literary cabaret ‘Zielony Balonik’ (The Green Balloon), designing, among other things, the puppets for the ‘Nativity Play’ staged there.
Ludwik Puget was one of the most outstanding Young Poland sculptors. In his figurative sculpture, he interpreted the principles of Impressionism (capturing a fleeting moment, employing a sketchy texture in his sculptures). His in-depth, academic knowledge of art history allowed him both to draw inspiration from historical styles, particularly Gothic sculpture, and to employ a form revealing an excellent knowledge of anatomy, as exemplified by his animal sculptures.
The furniture set is the only known and surviving example of its kind designed by Ludwik Puget. Dating from the early stage of the artist’s career (1903), its form confirms the significant role that the study of folk art played in the debate on the shape of Polish applied art, with particular emphasis on timber architecture and woodcarving featuring regional motifs (Ludwik Puget conducted academic research into Polish timber architecture). The set of furniture consisted of a large sideboard with an upper section, an icebox, two tables (a larger and a smaller one) and six chairs, of which five have survived. The furniture was made in Kraków, in Józef Zabża’s workshop. The metal fittings are by Stanisław Fijałkowski.
The set of artefacts on display was purchased for the collections of the National Museum in Kraków from the artist’s heirs as part of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage’s ‘Collections’ programme – priority no. II: museum collections.
