Witkacy
1915-1920
Multigraph portrait of Polish artist Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz (1885-1939) taken in St. Petersburg

Black and white photograph
Muzeum Sztuki - Museum of Art in Lódz
Accession no: MS/SN/F/454
 
Curatorial descrion (Accessed: 8 July 2021, translated from Polish)
Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz was a versatile artist. He was a writer, playwright, painter, photographer, philosopher and art theorist. Witkiewicz used the pseudonym Witkacy.
 
Witkiewicz created many self-portraits. He often changed clothes and took pictures in various styles. In 1917, Witkiewicz created a Multiple Portrait. It's a black and white photo. This photo is small.
 
The photo shows Witkacy in an officer's uniform and cap. The uniform is a reference to Witkacy's military service. During World War I, Witkacy served in the tsarist army. Witkacy was in the Pawlowski Regiment in St. Petersburg. The Pawlowski Regiment was an elite military unit.
 
Witkacy is sitting with his back in the photo. The artist is reflected in the mirrors. Thanks to the mirrors, there are four reflections of the artist in the photo. The artist's figure has been multiplied. Experiments with mirrors in photography were frequent in the early 20th century. Multiple image is an attempt to see your double. Such a photo is ironic and funny.
 
LL/47493