Witkacy. Paintings – drawings – prints + archival material

“Witkacy. Paintings – drawings – prints + archival material” is the third exhibition in the museum’s history to showcase the world’s largest collection of works by Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz. It is also the only monographic exhibition of Witkacy’s works in Poland.

The permanent exhibition reflects the structure of the Słupsk collection. It features works from all periods of Witkacy’s artistic career, particularly the pastel portraits created by the “S.I Witkiewicz” Portrait-Painting Firm – a one-person enterprise operating from 1925 to 1939. Archival materials and books are displayed alongside the artworks, forming an integral part of the exhibition, rather than a separate section. There are over 140 paintings, drawings and graphic works, as well as manuscripts, typescripts, letters and books (including inscribed copies). The exhibition design enhances the artistic qualities of the works without competing with them or creating visual distractions.

The exhibition is divided into two parts. The first part showcases the evolution of Witkacy’s artistic output. Its sections are as follows: Zakopane, Early Travels and Experiences, In Russia, Among the Formists, The World of Pure Form Concept, Year 1924, and the “S.I. Witkiewicz” Portrait-Painting Firm. The second part of the exhibition presents former private collections of Witkacy’s art, which form the basis of most of the Słupsk museum’s collection. These include the collections of: Włodzimierz Nawrocki, Jan and Janina Leszczyńscy, Modesta Zwolińska, the Głogowski family, and Teodor Białynicki-Birula.

Conservation is highlighted in a separate area, where visitors can view a glass pane with trace pastel particles alongside the portrait originally displayed behind it. The exhibition is accompanied by thematic films, including a documentary on the history of the Słupsk collection of Witkacy’s art, as well as an exhibition newspaper called “Witkacy” – available in both Polish and English, which provides details on each section of the exhibition. Interactive stations allow visitors to search for portraits using custom criteria, such as the type of substance used by the artist while painting, or the year of creation. This interactive tool also enables guests to trace the colour changes in the paper Witkacy used for his drawings. Finally, the glass walls of the storage facility housing Witkacy’s works offer a rare glimpse into parts of the museum usually hidden from public view.

In addition to its permanent exhibition, the White Granary hosts a temporary display entitled “Witkacy otherwise”, with full details available on our website.