Sketches of costumes, furniture and architectural details 1861 - 1867

Editor: We’re looking at “Sketches of costumes, furniture and architectural details” by Józef Simmler, created between 1861 and 1867. It’s a pencil drawing on paper, and it feels like we're peeking into the artist's notebook. I see studies of figures in period clothing alongside architectural elements, almost like a stage design in the making. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: Ah, yes! It feels very much like stepping into Simmler’s thought process, doesn't it? The scattering of motifs across the page hints at a mind brimming with ideas. Look how he captures the textures of fabric with just a few deft lines! I love how these aren’t just studies, but evocative little worlds. What stories do you think these characters might be living out? Do you feel the hint of theatrical drama yourself? Editor: Absolutely, I do. It almost makes me think of Shakespearean plays or some other historical drama. Are these sketches related to any known theatrical productions or historical events? Curator: That’s a fantastic question! Simmler was deeply invested in history, particularly Polish history, and it wouldn't surprise me if these sketches were preparatory work for larger history paintings or perhaps even stage designs. The Renaissance costumes suggest an interest in that era, which was often romanticized in 19th-century art. It's a world steeped in both research and imagination. Editor: It’s interesting how the sketchiness gives it such immediacy, despite depicting scenes from the past. I can almost feel Simmler’s hand moving across the paper. Curator: Exactly! It's that intimate connection that makes it so captivating, isn’t it? You become complicit in his act of creation. These fleeting gestures invite you into the artist’s creative experience and allow you to weave narratives of your own around each tableau. Editor: It’s almost like a visual poem – fragmented, evocative and open to interpretation. I'm glad I have the chance to discover Simmler. Curator: Precisely. Art is rarely just what's there, on the canvas, on the page...Art also has the potential to be whatever else someone dares to imagine for it. I learned a lot speaking with you, and you are making me re-think this piece too.