WOJCICKI Kaź.[imierz] Wł.[adysław] - Old-time paintings. With woodcuts by Wincenty Smokowski. 1-2 set. 1843

WOJCICKI Kaź.[imierz] Wł.[adysław]. Obrazy starodawne napisał...Z drzeworytami Wincentego Smokowskiego. 1-2 set. Warsaw 1843. pp. [8], II, 292, [3]; [6], 284, [3], woodcuts in text; 21cm.

Hard cloth binding with gilt and embossing on front and spine, decayed page edges. Good condition, rubbing of binding, minor foxing.

Banach 342 (Polish illustrated book). Includes, among others: Hussars, Lissowczyki, Hajducy, Żaki, Jesters, Historical songs, Tournaments and chases, Tartars, Calvary, Pilgrims, Astrologija, Ensigns. Two title pages and 11 woodcuts by Wincenty Smokowski.

From the introduction: "The present work comes out the first in our language decorated with woodcuts in the country made by the excellent artist P. Wincenty Smokowski." Banach recognized Smokowski as "the first Polish woodcut artist of the 19th century," the one who "introduced to Poland [...] the woodcut revived by Bewick." He wrote about the work presented here: "when he [Smokowski] redrew old woodcuts for Wójcicki's 'Pictures', he did not follow an encouraging and easy line: he did not give redrawings, but created new engravings" (pp. 213- 216). The artist "had to arrive at everything on his own, so his woodcuts were completely different from those abroad; he cut them with his stylus and chisels boldly and roughly, bringing out the wood's natural texture. He was an innovator and pioneer in this" (PSB).

Kazimierz Władysław Wóycicki (1807-1879) - Polish writer and publisher, historian of Warsaw.