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Wladyslaw Skoczylas (1883-1934)
During the twenty interwar years, when Poland briefly existed as an independent nation, there was a great upsurge of interest in the country's cultural folk traditions as a result of renewed nationalistic pride. A great number of Polish artists found inspiration in the rich, age-old folk traditions of the Podhale mountain region of southern Poland - centered in the town named Zakopane. It was here in 1908 that Wladyslaw Skoczylas settled. Almost singlehandedly he reestablished the cultural tradition of the folk woodcut and, through this forgotten technique, also the folkart of Podhale. The subjects of these bold, energetic prints were the proud and fiercely independent mountain people attired in rich folk dress. Skoczylas engraved scenes of their unique customs, feats of daring, and legends of the fearless outlaw, Janosik. Through this technique, Skoczylas created a national style; one of vigor, strength and decorativeness, based on the best in Polish folk art tradition.
The zbojnicy's legendary fights for freedom and equal justice for all are still very much alive among the Tatra mountain highlanders today in stories, music and folk art. Some of the Tatra's zbojnicy were true bandits, but oft times they were simply people who were wanted by the government for their opinions contrary to the ruling class, for resistance to the noble's oppression of the people, or for being army deserters. The most famous and legendary head robber of all time was, of course, named Janosik. Janosik lived at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th century. He lived in Slovakia where he was convicted by the king. His group of robbers included deserted soldiers and peasants who had fled Slovakia, Poland, and even Russia. They all fought together against the oppression of the noblemen. The exploits of this band live on in the Tatra highlands today. And much credit for that goes to the Polish poet Kazimierz Przerwa Tetmajer. In his books he portrays Janosik as the great head robber and commander-in-chief of those who fought against the oppression of nobles and even the invasion of the Swedes.
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Features
- 5"x7" Folded with Envelope
- Blank inside with history of Skoczylas on back.
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