Opening of the exhibition “Franciszek Kwiatkowski (1912—1985). Poet of Color”

On 25 October this year at 15.00 in the Stanisław Noakowski Museum in Nieszawa, a temporary exhibition “Franciszek Kwiatkowski (1912—1985) will open. Poet of color.” The exhibition will include paintings by the Włocławy artist, educator and great portraitist of his hometown. The works come from the collection of the Museum of Kujawska and Dobrzyń Land in Włocławek. The presentation will be available until January 10, 2027.

Franciszek Kwiatkowski (1912—1985) — painter, educator and cartoonist associated with Włocławek and Kujawów. He was born on October 27, 1912 in Włocławek, in a family with artistic traditions. From 1937 to 1939 he studied painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the Stefan Batory University in Vilnius under the direction of Ludomir Ślendziński and Bronisław Jamontt. He continued his studies after the war at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Warsaw in Toruń, where in 1951 he obtained a diploma in the studio of Prof. Stanisław Borysowski.

During the Second World War, he was a soldier of the Home Army of the Vilnius District, a participant in the operation “Ostra Brama”, and then a prisoner of the NKVD and Soviet camps. After returning to Poland, he worked as a teacher of drawing, painting and art history in Kwidzyn, Włocławek and Bydgoszcz. Since 1973, he has devoted himself primarily to creative work.

While painting, he focused on landscape, cityscapes, still lifes, portraits, and files. A special place was occupied by Włocławek — its panorama, monuments, industrial architecture and alleys and courtyards. His painting combines realism with elements of post-impressionism, is characterized by a synthetic form, expressive colors and a heavy, textured painting technique. In 1968, the artist became associated with the Kujawska Group, participating in its exhibitions until 1976.

Franciszek Kwiatkowski left behind a rich collection of paintings. The largest collection of his works is in the Museum of Kujawska and Dobrzyń Land in Włocławek, where about 100 oil paintings, watercolors and drawings are stored. The artist died on April 1, 1985 in Włocławek.

Opening: 25.10.2026 at 15.00

Temporary Exhibition Hall, Stanisław Noakowski Museum, 6 Mickiewicza Street, Nieszawa

Poster design: Magdalena Kolanowska