Maurycy Mędrzycki (Mendjizky), MALE PORTRET, 1928

92.0 x 59.7cm - oil, canvas signed l.d.: Mendjizky | 1928

Maurycy Mędrzycki (Mojsze Zelik Mędrzyżecki Lodz 1890 - Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France 1951) - painter, 1909 went to Paris and there became associated with the École de Paris milieu, where he met his muse and longtime partner Alice Ernestine Prin (Kiki de Montparnasse - French model and actress). In 1913, Mędrzycki met Renoir on his artistic path, who invited him to his estate in Cagnes-sur-Mer for a few days. The artist was so impressed by this charming town that he lived there between 1921 and 1924. Upon his return to Paris, he established a relationship with Marshal Leopold Zborowski. In 1931, Mędrzycki had a solo exhibition at the Kleinmann Gallery in Paris. After Hitler came to power in 1933, he founded the "Intellectuals for Peace Movement" with Paul Signac.
From 1939 he hid with his family in the Maritime Alps, where he was active in the French Resistance. He died of cancer in 1951 in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.