Page 46 - Centrum Dialogu im. Marka Edelmana w Łodzi. Artur Szyk, Man of Dialogue.

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Artur Szyk dedicated the
STATUTE OF KALISZ 4 46 Statute to Józef Piłsudski whom Szyk's inspiration was Józef
Piłsudski's May Coup. In 1930s,
the artist designed a donation
he considered a great figure in
certificate for the construction
of the Marshal Józef Piłsudski
the history of Poland and the
Monument-House in Łódź.
enemy of nationalisms of any
kind.
"I dedicate my work to
Józef Piłsudski, because I
believe that he is striving to
create suitable conditions for
peaceful coexistence of all
national groups in Poland."
On other occasion, he
declared: "I firmly believe that
the auspicious traditions of
Polish religious tolerance shall
triumph over the nationalist
persecutions." journalist. While already working on the
Artur Szyk's Statute of Kalisz is composed of 45 miniatures, and especially after the exceptional
leaves on which the artist depicted, in the form of success of his illuminated texts at the exhibition in
illuminated miniatures, the Polish−Jewish history: Paris in 1928 and in Warsaw, Łódź and Kalisz in
from the 11th century when Jewish artisans made 1929, the artist decided to publish the Statute
first Polish coins, through the time when Polish employing the heliogravure technique.
Jews were granted first privileges and the The print took three years. Szyk's miniatures
participation of Jews in Polish fight for freedom and depicting the contribution of Jews in the
their presence in Piłsudski's Legions. On beautifully development of Poland and their participation in
decorated plates, the artist depicted Polish Jews who the Polish fight for freedom, were made in the F.
contributed to the history of the country. There are Bruckermann SA printing house in Munich for the
the minters of Mieszko the Third, doctors saving Parisian publisher La Table Ronde. 25 copies were
the life of Barbara Radziwiłłówna, the hero of the made, numbered from I do XXV, marked with
Kościuszko Uprising, Berek Joselewicz or the initials H.C. (not for sale) and 500 copies
member of Piłsudski's Legions, Bronisław numbered with Arabic digits. Printing was finished
Mansperl. One plate is dedicated to the artist's in January 1932. The artist himself admitted that
native Łódź and those who took part in the 1905 the technique of colour print allows for such unique
revolution. There are inscription in Polish, French results that the Statute of Kalisz in the La Table
and Latin. Seven drawings contain the text of the Ronde edition "cannot be told apart from the
Statute of Kalisz where the artist listed 36 privileges original". The whole work is stored in a portfolio
granted to Jews by the Polish Duke Boleslaus the case, bearing an impression of a silver crowned
Pious in 1264. The same text is quoted in seven eagle holding a sword and a quill, with the coats of
languages: Polish, Hebrew, Yiddish, English, arms: Pogoń (Lithuania), Archangel Michael
German, Italian and Spanish, so that the message (Russia) and the Griffon. The spine and the corners
could reach as many people as possible. of the cover are encased with crimson leather. Copy
Artur Szyk devoted several years of his life to this number 1 was given to Józef Piłsudski; it is now
work. kept in the Iconography Collections Department of
"In Paris, I am considered an eccentric. Today, the National Library in Warsaw.
when painters paint by yards, without time to even In 1931, Artur Szyk was awarded the Gold Cross
finish their works properly, it is difficult to accept of Merit for his work for Poland. His Statute of Kalisz
the existence of an artist who devotes two and a half was shown in Paris, Geneva and London under the
years a single work of his," Szyk said to a Polish patronage of the August Zaleski, the Minister of