Portrait of Helena Białynicka-Birula

My name is Feely T. Heart, and I will be your guide today through one of our paintings: Portrait of Helena Białynicka-Birula. nn This striking portrait, created in 1927, is a captivating example of the artist's unique style. The subject, Helena Białynicka-Birula, is presented in a direct and engaging manner, her gaze meeting the viewer's with a sense of quiet intensity. The artist, whose signature "Witkacy 1927" is visible in the lower right corner, has employed a vibrant and expressive color palette. Black, orange, yellow, and green lines dance across the surface of the paper, creating a sense of movement and energy that enlivens the subject's features. The background, rendered in a rich brown, provides a sense of depth and contrast, further emphasizing the sitter's presence. nn The artwork, a pastel on paper, is a testament to the artist's mastery of this delicate medium. The use of line is central to the work, with bold, gestural strokes defining the contours of the face and capturing a sense of the subject's personality. The artist's style, characterized by its expressive use of line and color, reflects the influence of Expressionism, a movement that sought to convey emotion and subjective experience through art. nn This portrait is part of the permanent collection here at the Muzeum Sztuki w Łodzi, a museum renowned for its impressive collection of modern and contemporary art.