Objects

In Franciszka Themerson's "Abstract Composition", painted in 1960, the wild energy of a black, undulating flat line, twisting at sharp angles, with a colour that stands out from the white of a sheet of paper, is striking. In the upper part, a narrow line is at this point as if "cut" by a transverse red spot, creating a clear unexpected counterpoint to the restless blackness raging on thick white paper.

The expression of colours, and wildness of movement is accompanied by a gentle humour – discreetly hidden in a red rattle bow tie, a pear-shaped stain, falling drops...

Franciszka Themerson, regardless of the painting effects she obtained, was above all a graphic artist. "The materials, subject matter, technique, repertoire of ideas changed, but the line, thick or thin, drawn or impasto, was always present" (J. Reichardt, "Artystka, która ma coś do powiedzenia", in: "Franciszka Themerson. Białe obrazy", Warszawa 1998, p. 6).

See also other drawings by Franciszka Themerson in the POLIN Museum collection: MPOLIN-M158, MPOLIN-M163, MPOLIN-M169.

A gift of Ewa Kuryluk.

Renata Piątkowska