Eugeniusz ZAK (1884-1926), Landscape with sailors, ca. 1914

oil, canvas; 53 x 65.5 cm;
Signed p. d.: Eug. Zak

Provenance: collection of Ewa and Wojciech Fibak, Poland

Exhibited: Warsaw, National Museum, Polish Painting in the Collection of Ewa and Wojciech Fibak.w, 1992, reproduced in catalog Warsaw, National Museum, Eugeniusz Zak, 1884 - 1926, 2004, no. 71, reproduced in catalog

Literature: Artur Tanikowski, Eugeniusz Zak, 2003; pos. 117, il. s. 117

As early as 1902. E. Zak traveled to Paris, beginning his studies at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts there, and a year later traveled around Europe. The opportunity to study in depth in the Parisian art galleries of, among others, Nicolas Poussin or Antoine Watteau, their idyllic scenes set in magnificent landscapes, as well as the opportunity to see with his own eyes the full freshness of Brittany or the magnificent landscapes in the Mediterranean countries, as well as experience the peaceful, slow lifestyle there, resulted in a series of idyllic landscapes. Eugene Zak is considered one of the first artists to return to this theme in the 20th century. In his paintings he delights in tranquility and limited dynamism. Most often one can see couples of lovers, mothers with children, wanderers contemplating the grandeur of nature cuddling in the bosom.
In 1925, American critic B. J. Kospoth wrote of Zak's work this way: "Its most striking feature is its marvelous decorative quality. Zak's paintings are painted not to be hung in museums, but to beautify the rooms where people live. In the twilight of dormant apartments, their brilliant colors vibrate like the strings of a harp. There is something of the fresco technique of the old masters in them."