A man of many words on display

The exhibition at the Zachęta National Gallery of Art looks to rediscover Józef Czapski - best-known as a writer and resident of Maisons-Laffitte in Paris - through his artwork. Over 80 paintings and 30 drawings from the 1970s and 80s demonstrate Czapski's ardor as a painter in an exhibition titled, "Józef Czapski: Around the Aeschlimann Collection."

The works in the collection are taken from Czapski's most fruitful period of artistic activity. "His late painting achieved a remarkable independence of form, fullness and freedom of color. The landscapes, for example, demonstrate an artistic vision particular to Czapski's creative process," explains the exhibition's curator, Piotr Kłoczowski.

Landscape and still life are the two genres most prominent within Czapski's oeuvre - mostly scenes of Lake Leman in Switzerland, the fields of Normandy and Brittany and depictions of everyday objects.

In addition to the artworks, 14 volumes of Czapki's diaries are on display, chronicling 60 years of his life through written accounts and sketches that served as a source for his work.

The exhibition runs from March 19 to April 22. For more details log onto www.zacheta.art.pl