Tags
Bronislaw Linke, Bronislaw Wojciech Linke, Holocaust, Holocaust Memorial Day, The Prayer of the killed
The painting above is “The Prayer of the Killed”, by Polish underground surrealist artist Bronislaw Linke showing a Jew praying in the rubble of Warsaw. I have no idea where this is now, only that it may once have been owned by a Jewish Chemist Mumek Zlotnik who emigrated to Mexico and died there in 1965.
Sunday is Holocaust Memorial Day. Light a candle for remembrance.
Copyright David Macadam 2013
The Oligarch Kings 
Very profound painting
I’m not familiar with the artist, thank you for the introduction. The painting you feature is beautiful – in a tragically dark way, beautifully rendered. Poland has seen so much tragedy over the years and this artist has soaked it up and is able to translate it in paint – several other works of his at Google image are affecting also.
Yes it is very moving isnt it. Its one of my absolute favourite paintings of this period (if that is the right term) because of its immediacy and emotion and has an ability to affect one even at this distance. A gut wrenching elergy for a lost people. It scared my daughter who found it frightening when I suggested it as an illustration for a school project. Which is good too, as its meant to be a warning. What has always surprised me though is how little Linke (1906 -1962) is known in the West. I first saw this painting in print perhaps forty-five years ago, and have never ever seen it again. It seems impossible to track down where it might be, in a gallery or private collection or wherever. You are right that there are further works especially his drawings on the web but it seems a shame that he has been so overlooked.
This painting was exhibited in London in 1978 at the Polish cultural institute. At the time it was said to be from the collection of “Alexandra Bernfes”.
I have a copy of it or a photo. Maybe his was only a copy or a photo, or maybe the original painting.
Thank you for the comment! I will certainly chase this lead up. The painting deserves to be so much better known. Regards
I get the impression the original painting is in the Warsaw art museum
Thanks Luke, I’ll check with them and let you know!
Dear Luke,
Sorry Luke I only noticed your email today when clearing out the box. I will update the piece and credit your finding the picture!
many thanks for the interest in the blog,
Regards
David
> Date: Sat, 1 Feb 2014 13:35:41 +0000 > To: david_macadam@hotmail.com >
“El Mole-Rachim” by Polish artist Bronislaw Linke
“O Merciful God” from the Yizkor Service Memorial Prayer. Painting in the National Museum of Warsaw.
Same painting different name
I have a pastel of this. It says “Linke .47” on the bottom.