Staszka 1935

Zygmunt Waliszewski made this painting, Staszka, with visible brushstrokes in a palette of blues, greens, and earthy pinks. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the canvas, trying to capture the essence of this child in front of him. I wonder, what was it like for Waliszewski to paint Staszka? The paint is applied thickly, each stroke building up the form, like he's sculpting with color. Look at how the brushstrokes create a mosaic effect, especially in the background and on her skirt. I imagine him stepping back, squinting, and then leaning in close again to add another dab of color, trying to get it just right. And what about those bare feet? I mean, it's so rare to see that. Waliszewski, like so many artists, was part of a big conversation, learning from the past, experimenting in the present, and leaving something for those of us yet to come. What he left us here feels very intimate, awkward and charming.