On September 19, 2025 we were hosting an open lecture dedicated to the work of Bolesław Biegas – one of the most original and controversial Polish sculptors of the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The event was led by Anna Aurelia Bieniek – an art historian working at the Polish Library in Paris, where she is responsible for documenting and curating the art collections. She is currently preparing a doctoral dissertation on Biegas, focusing on his legacy in the context of collecting, archiving, and the art market. During the evening, she was supported by her co-supervisor – Witold Sygocki, PhD, from the Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute.
The lecture was a fascinating journey through the symbolic and emotional world of Biegas’s art. Escaping academic conventions, the artist found in Paris a space for his artistic freedom. The speaker invited the audience to take an introspective look at selected works, analyzing their form, message, and spiritual dimension.
Conducted in French, the event aimed not only to present Bolesław Biegas from a scholarly perspective but also to allow the French audience to discover the Polish origins of an artist whose work – although appreciated in France – is not always associated with his national heritage. Participants also had the opportunity to learn more about the exhibition of Biegas’s works at the Polish Library in Paris – an institution with which the speaker is closely affiliated.
The event attracted considerable interest and proved to be an inspiring experience for all lovers of art, history, and culture. We thank Anna Aurelia Bieniek for her insightful lecture!
