Franciszek Starowieyski

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Franciszek Starowieyski (1930–2009)

Baroque theater of form and obsession

Franciszek Starowieyski, pseudonym Jan Byk, came from a noble family bearing the Biberstein coat of arms. He was a unique, rebellious, and spectacular artist – a painter, graphic artist, and set designer who created his own surreal-baroque cosmos where time flowed backward and the female body became a stage for dramatic transformations. His painting was characterized by a fascination with the female body in Rubenesque shapes, sensuality, and reflection on passing and death.

Technique and style:

His recognizable line, masterful graphics, and fondness for theatrical gestures formed a style he called “21st-century Baroque.” He worked with grotesque, symbolism, spatial illusion, and passion for corporeality. He created not only posters (being one of the founders of the Polish poster school) but also drawings and paintings – often in the form of monumental “Drawing Theaters” performed before audiences, combining performance with the creative process.

Life and aura:

Born before World War II, an aristocrat in spirit – he wore a top hat, drove vintage cars, backdated his works, and signed them with dates from 300 years earlier. He lived like his paintings – theatrically and with grandeur. His work was sometimes censored yet adored – both in Poland and abroad. He exhibited in Paris, New York, Madrid.

Why is he worth fascination today?

Starowieyski is an epic artist – ideal for collectors seeking emotion, history, and narrative. His art continues to feed on sensuality, metaphor, and intellectual unrest. In an era of digital sterility, his bodily, expressive art acts as catharsis. His posters achieve very good auction results today, and drawings from the “Drawing Theaters” are rare treasures.

Biography

Franciszek Andrzej Bobola Biberstein-Starowieyski was a Polish artist known for his poster designs and graphic works. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków and Warsaw and was a member of Alliance Graphique International (AGI). His style diverged from socialist realism and popular colored Cyrk posters, though he created one Cyrk poster in 1966. He was the first Polish artist with a solo exhibition at MoMA in New York in 1986.

Early Life and Education

Born in Bratkówka, Poland in 1930. Studied from 1949 to 1955 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków and Warsaw.

Career and Style

Specialized in poster design, drawing, painting, stage design, and book illustration. His style evolved away from socialist realism and vibrant Cyrk posters prevalent during his early career.

Exhibitions

Held solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York in 1986. Major exhibitions include the 2014 show at Panstwowa Galeria Sztuki in Sopot titled 'Franciszek Starowieyski Przyjaznie Paryskie 1683-1693'.

Books

Published works include 'F.s Franciszek Strarowieyski posters 1973/1984' (1984), 'F.s 1690 Franciszek Starowieyski' lithography (1993), 'Mélange n°7' lithography (1994), and 'Franciszek Starowieyski Przyjaznie Paryskie 1683-1693' (2014).

Nationality

Polish

Themes

Poster design, graphic art, drawing, painting, stage design, book illustration

Selected major awards

1973
Award, International Biennale of the Arts, São Paulo, Brazil

Recognized at the prestigious international arts biennale.
1974
Film poster award, Cannes Film Festival, France

Award for outstanding film poster design at Cannes.
1974
2nd Prize, International Biennial of Posters, Warsaw, Poland

Second place award at the international poster biennial.
1979
Gold Plaque, International Film Festival, Chicago, USA

Awarded a Gold Plaque at Chicago Film Festival for poster artwork.