Weiss' white period

"The beauty has come to me," an exhibition currently underway at the Wilanów Palace Museum, presents the works of a renowned Polish painter, Wojciech Weiss (1875-1950). It focuses on the so-called "white period" of the artist's activity, his least known period, while at the same time, his most intimate and joyful.

In contrast to many painters, Weiss managed to make his name famous during his life. He exhibited his works in some of the most renowned artistic venues in Europe.

"Art was of supreme value for him," says Weiss's granddaughter and the curator of the exhibition, Zofia Weiss Nowina Konopka. "He perceived the world and people through its prism." She adds that Weiss' paintings have been exhibited in the most prestigious venues, along with such names as Munch or Klimt.

The name "white period" refers to his usage of light colors. The period lasted from 1905-12. Some works displayed were inspired strongly by his fascination with the Japanese art.

The title of the exhibition is a fragment of a letter of the artist to his wife, Irena Weiss. "Her exceptional beauty would inspire the artist to constant exploration of the art of painting," says the painter's granddaughter.

Irena, also a painter, had previously been a student of Weiss - the bonds of love that connected them were at the same time their dialog with art.

The exhibition is all the more worth seeing as the "white period" paintings are least known to the wider audience, since works are in private hands.

The exhibition runs until June 8 in Wilanów Palace Museum, ul. Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16, Warsaw