Miłośnicy kontra krytycy i artyści, czyli spory wokół Zachęty w międzywojennej Polsce

Abstract

The Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts was founded in 1860 in order to promote and support young Polish artists and popularize art as an important element of socio-cultural life at a time when Poland did not exist as an independent state. In 1900 was established the Zachęta Art Gallery, where, from 1911 to 1939 the board of the Society organized annual Salons – overviews of present art, selected and organized by members of the Society: artists and so-called art lovers. Although the political and artistic reality have been changed, the specific character of this institution was still the same. As a result, in the interwar period Zachęta was deemed to the synonym of obscurantism, fundamental ignorance, megalomania, cheap patriotism and narrow views. It was the reason why many artists, who had not accepted the situation, boycotted the gallery. On the other hand, the artist who exhibited at Zachęta became the object of ruthless attacks and sharp criticism – not only from the ex-Formists or Constructivists, but also from critics and artists who were unsympathetic or even hostile towards the avant-garde. Surprisingly, the battle against Zachęta was the factor that united most critics from both side of artistic barricade.