Andrzej Pietsch (1932-2010) - „Actress VII B - Wave / the Black Red“

Artist: Andrzej Pietsch (1932-2010)
Title: “Actress VII B - Wave / the Black Red”
Year: 1987
Technique: hand-coloured aquatint on paper
Edition: 50
Dimensions (overall): 78 x 56 cm, Image size: 70 x 50 cm
Signature: signed in pencil
Condition: very good condition

Andrzej Pietsch (1932-2010) was a graphic artist, mountaineer, and adventurer. He was born in 1932 in Krakow, where he graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow (1951-1958, diploma under Prof. Mieczysław Wejman). In 1986 he was appointed professor. He collaborated with several other universities in the country (including Poznań, Katowice, Lublin and Cieszyn) and was rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow from 1972 to 1978. By 1999 he had held about 70 solo exhibitions, roughly half abroad, and participated in more than 200 group exhibitions. Over time he became one of the most respected Polish graphic artists and has received international recognition since 1966. He was active in intaglio and produced prints in several series, such as “Actresses” (from 1964), “Travelers” and “Trips” (from 1966), “Grasses” (from 1984), and (especially his earlier) mountain motifs. He also became a respected teacher (by 2000 eight of his students had become professors and more than 170 students earned their diplomas under his guidance). He participated in numerous art competitions. Co-founder of the artists’ association “Kuźnica.” In 1969 he received the Third Class Medal from the Ministry of Culture and Art, the Art Prize of the City of Krakow (1974) and the Prize of the Minister of Culture and Art (1975), as well as other prizes and distinctions, including at MBG in Krakow (1966, 1968, 1970), the International Biennale of Graphic Art in Bradford (1976) and Fredrikstad (1984). In 1999 he won the shared prize at the Biennale of Small Graphic Forms in Łódź. He passed away on 30 November 2010 and is buried at Rakowicki Cemetery in Krakow (alley 79, western row).