“Highlander Dance” decorates the interior of the wall of a tenement building at 28 Pulawska St. The building, built in 1937, is the so-called “Wedel House”. The colourful painting adorns the lobby of the building and is currently undergoing restoration work.
The Mazovian Provincial Conservator of Monuments has announced the work being carried out. “Highlander Dance” by Zofia Stryjeńska is a work made in 1937. Renovation of the painting is part of larger-scale works aimed at restoring the entire building.
The work of the Polish painter was subjected to paintwork cleaning. Defects were repaired and a protective coating was applied. In addition, the painting will be protected by a sheet of anti-reflective glass. The painting is located in the lobby accessible from Madalińskiego Street. Stryjeńska was commissioned to create the work because her work was well known to the investor. After all, the painter had designed several packages of chocolate. However, creating the ‘Highlander Dance’ was not at all easy for her.
In the 1930s, Zofia Stryjeńska had financial problems, and new commissions allowed her to patch up her household budget. A commission for a work in a new tenement house was financially rewarding, but making a painting for an overworked artist was not so easy. As a result, the “Highlander Dance” was created late, and it would take as long as eight months from receiving the commission to the completion of the project.
“The Wedel House” in the 1930s boasted other works of art. In the inner courtyard, a sculpture by Stanisław Komaszewski entitled ‘Idyll’ or ‘Goat’ was set up next to a rectangular pond. The sculptor also made a copper composition entitled ‘Tiger’ to decorate the entrance to the corner company shop of E. Wedel. Unfortunately, the pond and the “Idyll” sculpture have not survived to the present day.
The conservation and restoration work is being carried out with funding from the state budget.
photos: A. Śmigielska, WUOZ in Warsaw
source: Mazovian Voivodeship Historic Preservation Officer
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