Warsaw
Completed

Explore Maria Papa Rostkowska's Marble Sculptures at the Royal Łazienki Museum Exhibition

This captivating exhibition showcases 20th-century abstract yet readable works reflecting love, motherhood, and bravery.

The Royal Łazienki Museum invites you to experience "The Promise of Happiness," an engaging exhibition dedicated to Maria Papa Rostkowska. This presentation at the Old Orangery showcases her masterful marble sculptures, exploring profound human emotions and classical influences. Visitors can immerse themselves in her unique artistic language, which bridges abstract forms with deeply resonant themes.

About The Promise of Happiness. Maria Papa Rostkowska at Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for The Promise of Happiness. Maria Papa Rostkowska at Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw

Exhibition summary

This exhibition at the Old Orangery showcases the marble sculptures of Maria Papa Rostkowska, a significant 20th-century artist known for her 'happy art.' Visitors can explore themes of love, motherhood, and bravery through her abstract yet readable works, which engage in a dialogue with the classical surroundings.

Curatorial context

The Royal Łazienki Museum presents 'The Promise of Happiness. Maria Papa Rostkowska,' a temporary exhibition dedicated to the works of one of the most interesting sculptors of the 20th century. The exhibition features 25 marble sculptures, including 'Big Angel,' 'Gaia,' and 'The Unicorn,' addressing themes such as love, motherhood, and bravery through symbolic figures like angels and Venus. Rostkowska's abstract yet readable sculptures draw from classical traditions, creating a dialogue with the historical setting of the Old Orangery. The exhibition emphasizes her mastery of marble, showcasing how she sculpted directly in the material to achieve her artistic vision. Maria Papa Rostkowska (1923-2008), initially trained as a painter and designer, found her true calling in sculpture. Her artistic journey led her from post-war Poland to Paris, where she began experimenting with ceramics and later dedicated herself almost exclusively to marble from 1966 onwards. Her work, supported by notable figures like Hans Arp and Lucio Fontana, was recognized with prestigious awards. Having spent decades in Pietrasanta, Italy, near Carrara, she created over 300 stone pieces, many of which are now housed in international collections. The exhibition, created in collaboration with her family and with the patronage of the Italian and French Embassies, offers an opportunity to engage with her unique artistic language.

Admission and ticket notes

The exhibition is accessible with a combined ticket for museum buildings. Ticket prices are PLN 40 for a normal ticket, PLN 20 for a reduced ticket, and PLN 1 for children up to 7 years and youth up to 26 years of age. Admission is free of charge on Fridays. The last entrance is 30 minutes before closing.

The Promise of Happiness. Maria Papa Rostkowska key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for The Promise of Happiness. Maria Papa Rostkowska at Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw

Venue
Royal Łazienki Museum
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
Sep 9, 2023 – Dec 3, 2023
Artist line / attribution
Featuring the marble sculptures of Maria Papa Rostkowska, a prominent 20th-century sculptor.
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