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Entr'acte # 26: ... Zakopane (Poland)


The weather has cooled. Autumn arrives. And the holidays are over for most of us. But that prevents us from there, even in imagination, to continue walking through the world of Art Nouveau? And wait a little more wintry weather to get on our walks in Paris?
For today, I suggest you go to Poland, the strange discovery of two villas in the charming town of Zakopane, a renowned ski resort, located a few kilometers to the north the Slovakian border. It
were both built by Stanislaw Witkiewicz (1851-1915), which is certainly better known in his country as a writer and as a painter than an architect. However, it is considered as the creator - or only the best representative? - What is called the "Zakopane Style". But is it a style that can easily relate to Art Nouveau?

Witkiewicz The first building, the Villa Koliba, is now a museum are exhibited many paintings of the artist, which can be attached to the realism Polish, powerful and sometimes dark, but where some Thanksgiving 1900 are not entirely absent, especially in some of his portraits. The house is characterized by its architecture almost entirely of wood and the multiplication of its picturesque roofs. At first glance, we are dealing with a traditional construction, very well adapted to the harsh climate of the mountains.

But some details can only disturb the mind, as the sophisticated decor of the railing of the terrace or staircase, but all parties engraved or perforated inside the home. Yet it was built in 1892-1893 at a time when Art Nouveau was just emerging in the countries of Europe where the style began to emerge. How to explain, and the amazing decoration wrought iron gateway, which can be guessed very amusing stylized lizards, or floral - also metal - some windows?

The strangeness of the villa also comes from its furniture, maybe later, but where an Art Nouveau further characterized relates to all styles developed in Scandinavia or Finland, where structure, simplicity and strength are the watchwords of great originality. This furniture has the advantage that we learn the roots basically popular and traditional Polish Art Nouveau, and the famous "Zakopane style" in particular.

We find confirmation of this in the Pod Jedlami villa, built in 1896-1897 by Witkiewicz. We find, especially at the carved wooden panels, everything that Art Nouveau is the local traditional crafts. But the powerful foundation of the building stone, adorned with buttresses many architects more "Latin" has been used and sometimes abused afterwards. A curious wrought iron railing, iris pattern, completes bring confusion in our minds? And though it really is Art Nouveau?


Witkiewicz has built several other houses in Zakopane, but also the charming little chapel Jaszczurowce. It includes all the features of his talent as an architect: beautiful stone foundations, with arches curiously shaped wooden panels decorated radiant with metallic elements strange resonances.



Doubtless we must reject, finally, the "Zakopane style" outside the bounds of the Art Nouveau style, in all its other European definitions. Born too soon, still largely subject to more traditional styles in Poland, it is nevertheless troubling, confirming the ancient origins, diverse and sometimes obscure the Modern Style. It is obvious that variations thereof, in the Nordic countries, are perfectly linked to ancient traditions and are tied more authentically than in Latin countries. Zakopane remains Perhaps a mystery ... I invite you to pierce yourself. This winter, perhaps, if you also like to ski!