Portret van Stanislaw Lentz c. 1914 - 1918

Floris Arntzenius sketched "Portret van Stanislaw Lentz", a drawing that captures the likeness of the Polish painter, around 1914. The portrait provides a window into the world of early 20th-century European artists, reflecting their social circles and the exchange of ideas across national lines. Arntzenius’ choice to depict Lentz, a professor in Warsaw, speaks to the connections within the art world, and the respect artists held for one another, as well as to the importance of portraiture in an age grappling with new notions of identity and representation. The sketch's somber tones and focused composition evoke a sense of introspection, inviting us to consider the inner lives of the subjects. In a time of shifting cultural landscapes and increasing nationalism, consider how artists use portraiture to bridge divides, documenting each other, and creating a collective memory that transcends political boundaries. How does this intimate portrayal reflect the personal and professional life of Stanislaw Lentz?