Page 57 - Centrum Dialogu im. Marka Edelmana w Łodzi. Artur Szyk, Man of Dialogue.

Album-ksi„¿ka_ASzyk_wANGIELSKA.qxd 2012-05-27 20:34 Page 57
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5 5. AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM – TO THE
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The central element is an intricately ornamented initial P – for
Polonia/Poland, with a figure of a medieval law-giver – Duke
Boleslaus the Pious – holding the rights granted to Polish Jews. 5 57 STATUTE OF KALISZ
Also featured is the coat of arms of Kalisz (where the rights were
granted; in the background – outline of the cathedral) and of
Paris, where Artur Szyk worked on the Statute of Kalisz.
Inscription in French: "Made in Paris in 1927 by Artur Szyk,
illuminator, modest student of the great French illuminators".
From the collection of the Józef Piłsudski Library (WiMBP) in
Łódź.
The coat of arms of Paris,
where the Statute of Kalisz
was made by Artur Szyk
Recurring motif of
a fight with a dragon
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B Boleslaus the Pious (ca. 1224-1279),
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Duke of Gniezno and Kalisz, from 1257
until his death – Duke of the Wielkopolska
(Great Poland). Granting the Statute of
Kalisz to Jews, he wanted to strengthen
their role and significance, in order to
create counterbalance to the growing
strength of Germany. Father of Vladislaus
the Short, grandfather of Casimir the
Great who not only confirmed the rights of
Jews but also expanded them.
Artur Szyk called himself an illuminator. He often emphasized that he is but a modest
follower of the great medieval illuminators.