Not only "Strange Garden" - decorative paintings and stained glass windows by Józef Mehoffer
May 17, 2022
Józef Mehoffer – a student of Jan Matejko
The painter was born on March 19, 1869, in the town of Ropczyce. In 1873, his family moved to Kraków, where Józef received his education – first at a high school, then simultaneously studying at the Faculty of Law of the Jagiellonian University and at the School of Fine Arts. His painting mentors included Jan Matejko and Władysław Łuszczkiewicz. He also continued his artistic education abroad, in Vienna and Paris. During his studies, he traveled extensively, gathering inspiration and knowledge about various artistic disciplines. Stained glass and wall polychromes occupy a prominent place in his creative practice.
Together with Stanisław Wyspiański, another outstanding student of Matejko, they created a polychrome in the chancel of St. Mary's Church in Krakow, designed by their teacher. Together, they also created a stained-glass window in the choir loft of the same church. It was in the field of glass paintings that Mehoffer achieved his first international success. In 1895, he won the competition to design a stained-glass window for St. Nicholas Cathedral in Freiburg, where he created eight of them. After returning to Poland, he pursued his academic career at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. In 1905, he was awarded the title of full professor, and less than ten years later, he became the rector of the Krakow university.
It's worth noting that the artist co-founded the Society of Polish Artists "Sztuka," whose goal was to raise the level of cultural offerings in the country. Its members included many distinguished artists, including Jacek Malczewski, Józef Chełmoński, and Leon Wyczółkowski. In addition to easel painting, this student of Jan Matejko also worked in applied graphics, textile design, theater set design, and art theory.
The Painter Who Loved Gardens
Mehoffer's work is characterized by decorativeness, often with a gentle, relaxing, and fairy-tale atmosphere. The artist created numerous portraits, most often depicting his wife, Jadwiga. His beloved was also a frequent subject of other works. Immortalizing his beloved home garden, he placed her among the paths and flower beds.
The most famous painting from this series is "Strange Garden," depicting a summer stroll through an orchard full of apple trees. In the foreground, we see the illuminated figure of a naked boy. This is the painter's son, Zbigniew. The child holds long stems of blooming hollyhocks in his hands. Behind him, an elegantly dressed and smiling Jadwiga emerges from a shaded path. Deep in the orchard, we see the boy's nanny dressed in traditional folk costume. Floral garlands are strung along the trees, and the branches bend under the weight of ripening fruit. The colors are saturated, lush, and full of life. Mehoffer's wife gazes tenderly at the viewer; we can assume that this warm gaze was originally bestowed upon her husband, who was sitting at his easel. The composition's balance and the idyllic atmosphere of the scene are broken by a surprisingly large dragonfly. It seems to have appeared right before the artist's eyes, hence its disproportionate size. Its golden wings are crisscrossed with dark veins, giving them the appearance of stained glass, a favorite of the Polish painter. By placing it above the painting's subjects, the artist may have been motivated by a desire to capture and preserve this enchanting moment, as the dragonfly is considered a symbol of immortality in many cultures.
Young Poland and Art Nouveau Paris
Józef Mehoffer's decorative style is often associated with Art Nouveau. It is true that during his studies at the École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs, Académie Colarossi, and École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he was surrounded by the flourishing Art Nouveau movement. Its influence is clearly evident in the rich ornamentation, patterns, and organic shapes. However, despite his travels abroad, the artist remained deeply rooted in his native artistic reality. Therefore, Mehoffer is considered a member of the Young Poland movement. In both his easel painting and his monumental works, he utilized the symbolism characteristic of this period.
As the years passed, his work took on a Post-Impressionist quality—a bright palette shimmering in the fleeting light of the scenes he depicted. The artist gradually abandoned metaphors and symbols in favor of direct depictions of nature, interiors, and portraits.
The decline of the artist's career from Krakow
At the beginning of World War II, he was sent to the Aš concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Thanks to the intercession of the Italian government and the Vatican, he was released and returned to Kraków in 1940. He died on July 8, 1946, in Wadowice.
The artist left behind numerous works, which can be viewed, among others, in the museum dedicated to him, which was established in his home at Krupnicza 26. To discover his monumental polychromes, visit the Wawel Treasury, the Armenian Cathedral in Lviv, or the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Turek. His stained glass windows can be seen in the Latin Cathedral in Lviv, the Church of Our Lady of Consolation in Żyrardów, and the Municipal Savings Bank of Krakow.
Ida Sielska, art mediator, Goldenmark
