Lot 167
Tadeusz Zak (Polish, 1925-1998). Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, painted wood carving, n.d. Signed with location on underside of base. A captivating painted wood relief sculpture by Polish artist Tadeusz Zak offers a whimsical and slightly unsettling vision of the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve, rendered with large, innocent eyes and modest fig leaves, stand beneath stylized trees teeming with vibrant birds and ripe, red fruit. A sinuous serpent, its scales a mesmerizing pattern, coils around the central tree, its gaze fixed on the first couple. Zak's distinctive folk-art style, with its flattened perspective and bold colors, imbues this iconic biblical scene with a unique charm, hinting at both the paradise and the impending temptation in this enclosed, dreamlike world. Size: 6.8" W x 13.3" H (17.3 cm x 33.8 cm)
About the artist: Tadeusz Zak, a prominent Polish naive artist, gained recognition for his distinctive paintings and sculptures, which were showcased in galleries across Europe and collected internationally. His work, characterized by rich imagination and a unique style, is featured in major Polish ethnographic museums. In 2015, the Kielce Village Museum acquired 55 of Zak's late paintings, documenting his declining period, a phase often underrepresented in museum collections. These "last paintings," though sometimes hastily executed, reveal Zak's persistent artistic drive, driven by a "passion, which gives his life content and meaning," as observed by folk art expert Barbara Katarzyna Erber.
Zak's artistic journey began in his childhood, influenced by his grandfather's wood carvings and his observations of rural life. He started his artistic career relatively late, following years of industrial work and family responsibilities. In the 1970s, he began creating sculptures from juniper roots, eventually transitioning to painting around 1980. His paintings, often depicting scenes from rural life and religious themes, were marked by vibrant colors and a distinctive compositional style, influenced by his sculptural background. Despite suggestions from experts, Zak maintained his individualistic approach, emphasizing intuition and imagination.
Throughout his career, Zak received numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Oskar Kolberg Award. His work was exhibited in renowned galleries and museums, even attracting attention from "higher art" specialists. However, in his later years, declining health and financial struggles impacted his creative output. His "last paintings," marked by imperfections and miniaturization, reflect this period of decline. The Kielce Village Museum's acquisition of these works aimed to preserve this often-overlooked phase of his career. The exhibition of these paintings serves as a testament to Zak's enduring passion and the unique perspective he brought to Polish folk art, offering a glimpse into the "cheerful pictures of a sad world" he created. (summarized from artist's bio on The Kielce Countryside Museum website)
Provenance: private Rochester, Minnesota, USA collection, acquired from 1990 -1998
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#192068
- Condition: Signed with location on underside of base. Some stains to sky and stable pressure fissures to wood, as well as minor nick to Eve's hair, but otherwise, in excellent overall condition with good pigments and detail.
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