Mieczyslaw Wejman (1912-1997), Cyclist XIVa, 1970

Etching. Dimensions: 30 x 47 cm, 53.5 x 76 cm (sheet)
Hand signature, in pencil: l.d.: "Cyclist XIVa, at bottom: EA II/XII, p.d.: Mieczysław Wejman 1970

Mieczysław Wejman (1912-1997) - Polish graphic artist and painter. Professor, rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, co-founder of the International Triennial (then Biennale) of Graphic Arts. Mieczyslaw Wejman studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow (until 1937), then at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw (1937-1939, diploma 1946). He worked as a teacher at the State Higher School of Visual Arts in Cracow (from 1946, director 1948-1949, rector 1949-1950). Then he was a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow (1951-1972). He served twice as rector of this university (1952-1954 and 1967-1972). He headed the Department of Artistic Graphics (1956-1982) and was also dean of the Faculty of Graphic Arts (1964-1967). He is considered to be the initiator of the metaphorical printmaking trend, distinguishing the "Cracow school of printmaking. He retired in 1982. In 1947-1960 he was a member of the "9 graphic artists" group. He was chairman of the Board of Directors of the ZPAP (1959-1962) and chairman of the Organizing Committee of the International Biennale of Graphic Arts in Cracow (1966-1971). Known primarily as a graphic artist, he was also involved in painting. In his early period, he created in woodcut technique (the "Moon" series, 1946-1948), then mainly in metal techniques. The most important series in his oeuvre, "Cyclist" (1964-1970) brought him 1st prize at the 1st International Biennial of Graphics in Cracow and the State Prize of 1st degree in 1966. He won many other awards, including. First Prize in the National Olympic Competition, Warsaw 1956, First Prizes at the National Exhibitions of Artistic Graphics and Drawing, Warsaw 1956 and 1959, Second Prize at the Second International Biennial "Sport in Art", Madrid 1969. In the late period of his work he created an elaborate painting series "Monument" (1975-1977), he also painted still lifes in pastel technique (1984). Mieczyslaw Wejman's students include Jacek Gaj, Tadeusz Jackowski, Marta Kremer, Janusz Karwacki, Włodzimierz Kotkowski, Andrzej Pietsch, Zbigniew Rabsztyn, Anna Sobol-Wejman, Jacek Sroka, Stanisław Wejman. Described by some students as one of the "last god-professors" of the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts.
In 1969 he was a member of the Awards Commission of the Ministry of Culture and Art. In 1986-1989 he was a member of the National Grunwald Committee.