1689 -1775 · Rome, Warsaw and Polish Baroque

Dramatic altarpieces, penetrating portraits and Roman clarity make Szymon Czechowicz a major figure in 18th-century Polish sacred painting.

Szymon Czechowicz was born in Krakow in 1689 and died in Warsaw in 1775. Thanks to the support of the great treasurer Franciszek Maksymilian Ossoliÿski, he went to study in Rome around 1711 and attended the Accademia di San Luca. He trained with Benedetto Luti and assimilated the great tradition of Roman Baroque, notably Carlo Maratta, Guido Reni and Sebastiano Conca. In 1716, two of his drawings were rewarded by the Academy. From Rome, he already executed altar paintings intended for Polish churches. From Rome, he already executed altar paintings intended for Polish churches. From Rome, he already executed altar paintings intended for Polish churches. From Rome, he already executed altar paintings intended for Polish churches. Returning to Poland in 1731, he settled in Warsaw and worked for the nobility, the high clergy and numerous sanctuaries of the Republic of the Two Nations. His religious compositions combine clear gestures, dramatic diagonals and light that immediately leads to the spiritual center of the scene. The Martyrdom of Saint John Nepomuk offers a striking example: the movement of the executioners, the body of the saint and the open sky organize violence as a story of testimony and transfiguration. Czechowicz also practices portraiture, where pageantry is accompanied by psychological attention. Towards the end of his career, his palette became clearer upon contact with the rococo. His free workshop in Warsaw trained several important painters and contributed greatly to disseminating Roman models in Polish art. His free workshop in Warsaw trained several important painters and contributed greatly to disseminating Roman models in Polish art. His free workshop in Warsaw trained several important painters and contributed greatly to disseminating Roman models in Polish art. The "Szymon Czechowicz" selection notably highlights view The Martyrdom of Saint John Nepomuk. Its reading favors the story.

Czechowicz orders the baroque tumult: gesture, light and color lead the violence of the story towards an immediate spiritual reading.