Miniature in one breath
Stanisław Przewłocki is a master of watercolours. He paints minuscule representations in an 8x6 mm format and smaller. You need a professional magnifying glass, clockwork precision, a firm hand and a hawk's eye to paint a winter landscape on a snippet of paper. A former expert marksman, the artist has no difficulty to do this. The watercolour technique offers no room for improvement. It takes seven minutes to complete the work.
"I hold my breath with every stroke I add. I have to be relaxed and quiet whenever I take to painting miniatures. Preparations usually take several days," explains Przewłocki.
Miniatures the size of a stamp or smaller are painted with special brushes made of sabre or squirrel fur. Russian "Leningrad" paints are the best for the purpose. His favourite theme is winter landscapes because the white of the snow brings out the contrast, which is just vital in minuscule paintings.
Studio in Maślice
I am speaking with the artist at his studio in Wroclaw's Maślice. He is offering me a cup of herbal infusion while preparing the paints. He is happy to tell me more about his work. I have a sneak preview of how he goes about it. He puts a magnifying glass on the table. He adjusts his glasses before a winter landscape emerges with each stroke.
"I'm trying not to strain my eyes," he explains why he is wearing glasses despite his hawk's eye. "Hence the glasses with photochromic lenses." I've been using them since the mid-1970s. My first glasses were a gift from my friends from Sweden. Glasses that would go dark when exposed to sunlight only stirred up envy in Poland at the time. I would often lose them, which only made my Swedish friends happy because they received a painting for a new pair of glasses."
Self-portrait on o grain of sand
The smallest by the artist is his self-portrait executed on a grain of sea sand that was 0.7 mm at its widest.
"We were by the seaside, in Dziwnów. I was challenged by my friend. He took a grain of sand and said: "Why don't you pain something on it?" I took it back home, glued it a match and painted a self-portrait.
Twelve years ago, an art collector from Berlin gave him a new Volkswagen for the painting. He is using the car to this day.
"He asked me what I would like to receive in return. I kept a low profile and said an MTB would do. We ended up celebrating together, after which I drove back home in a brand new VW IV laden with gifts," says the artist.
However, the artist has some trouble with his miniature paintings. Some time ago, a letter was published in the press that challenged the originality of Stanisław Przewłocki's works. It author argued that it was impossible to make a painting smaller than a stamp.
"Those who didn't like me often said my works are digital forgeries. Their comments were really hurtful," adds the artist.
Artist without a degree
Stanisław Przewłocki was born and raised in what is now the frontiers of Lithuania and Belarus. His family could hardly make ends meet, which is why his parents were able to afford only cheap watercolours. He and his family arrived in Poland with the last wave of repatriation in 1957. With no degree in fine arts, Stanisław Przewłocki was nonetheless recognised as a painter by the Polish Ministry of Culture.
He has been living and working in Wroclaw since 1973. His studio in Maślice has more to offer than just miniatures. He likes watercolours, oils, acrylic technique, but he also sometimes works in dry pastel. He paints from nature with his wife, Jolanta.
"Jola prefers a camera. She is passionate about photography and can take really beautiful pictures," says the artist while adding that his daughter, Elwira Przewłocka-Choma, has followed in her father's footsteps. Her works are on display in Wroclaw galleries. She is known to have great technique. Her paintings bring the space and distance to the fore. They have undeniable illusionist qualities.
His son, Łukasz, was a satirical draughtsman for some time, while his youngest daughter, Marta, paints, but is yet to show the results to her father.
"I know that someone really important to her is waiting for her painting. I think we will see the results any time soon," adds Stanisław Przewłocki proudly.
Stanisław Przewłocki's works have been exhibited in the USA, Australia, Japan, France, Italy and Germany. They feature in prestigious auctions throughout the world. They can also be found in the collections of Jolanta and Aleksander Kwaśniewki, Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schröder.
An exhibition at the local culture centre in Pilczyce brings the nearest opportunity to see some of the artist's works. A preview is scheduled for late October.
Jarek Ratajczak
