Alfons KARPIŃSKI, MARTWA NATURA Z KWIATAMI (Still Life with Flowers)

Oil, cardboard, 34.5 x 49.5. 1920s. Signed p.r.: A Karpinski. estimate 15,000-20,000

From 1891-99 he studied at the School of Fine Arts in Cracow under Florian Cynk, Izydor Jablonski, Wincenty Luszczkiewicz and Leon Wyczółkowski. He supplemented his artistic education at Ažbe's studio in Munich (1903). In 1904-07 he continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna under Kazimierz Pochwalski, in Paris at the Academie Willi (1908-12) and in 1922 at the Academie Collarossi. He traveled to Italy, London and Budapest. He lived permanently in Cracow; associated with the local community centered around the "Green Balloon", he designed decorations for the cabaret's performances. He was a member of, among others, the TPSP in Cracow and the Vienna "Secession". In 1918-27 he became vice-president of TPSP in Cracow. The main themes of his works were portraits, genre scenes, urban views mainly of Munich and Paris, and still lifes with a flower motif.