Stefan Filipkiewicz
1879 - 1944

In 1899, he made his debut with an exhibition of his landscapes from the Tatra Mountains at the Gallery of the Society of Friends of the Fine Arts in Kraków. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków from 1900 to 1908 under the supervision of Florian Cynk, Józef Mehoffer, Leon Wyczółkowski, Jan Stanisławski and Józef Pankiewicz.

He participated in plein-air painting sessions organized by Stanisławski, and is regarded as one of the outstanding representatives of the "Stanisławski School." He organized a posthumous exhibition of his teacher's works. In 1905, he became a member of the Vienna Secession, and in 1907, a member of the Society of Polish Artists "Sztuka". From 1914 to 1918, he served in the Polish Legions.

Upon his return to Kraków, Filipkiewicz devoted himself to teaching. He was an instructor in the School of Crafts (1913-1914) and beginning in 1930 he lectured at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, where he was nominated assistant professor in 1936. During World War II, he was involved in underground activities. Arrested by the Gestapo, Filipkiewicz was imprisoned at the concentration camp in Mauthausen, where he died.

His paintings were exhibited regularly at the Society of Friends of the Fine Arts in Kraków, beginning when he was a student.

The artist painted mainly Tatra and sub-Carpathian landscapes, especially brooks and trees covered in snow. From nature, Filipkiewicz also painted seascapes. He created still lifes with the motif of flowers in stylish-ornamented vases in a subtle, harmonious color scale. His works, though realistic, were of great decorative value, which made them very popular.

Filipkiewicz was also a graphic artist and made lithographs, wood engravings and dry-point engravings. He worked as an illustrator and poster designer and occasionally designed medals and badges.

-- Anna Król

Works in the collection: