21 - Wladimir de TERLIKOWSKI (Poraj 1873–Paris 1951)

Wladimir de TERLIKOWSKI (Poraj 1873–Paris 1951) Landscape with a Bridge Painted in 1929 Oil on canvas 65 x 92 cm Signed and dated twice "W de Terlikowski 1929" Vladimir de Terlikowski was born in Poraj in 1873. He left his family at a fairly young age to make his own way in the world. At the age of 13, he attempted to travel to Paris but stopped first in Munich. In 1891, he arrived in Paris and, to make ends meet, took on odd jobs and drew portraits. He took classes in Jean-Paul Laurens’s Paris studio around 1897. During this time, he painted portraits and landscapes in oil. He set out on a seven-year journey, visiting Algeria, Tunisia, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Russia, Italy, Egypt, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, China, and England. Upon his return, he married and settled in Paris. The painter then became acquainted with the artist communities of Montparnasse. He even lived for a short time at La Ruche. Among others, he associated with Bourdelle, Kiki de Montparnasse, Boleslas Biegas, Amadeo Modigliani, Moïse Kisling, and Manuel Ortiz de Zarate. Terlikowski also traveled to Auvergne and was one of the founders of the Murols School alongside Léon Boudal and Victor Charreton. The Terlikowski family moved to Brittany for a time at the start of World War I. The painter then set off alone for Troyes. Terlikowski began to achieve success through his exhibitions. He was discovered and supported by Georges Leygues, a former Minister of Education. He continued tirelessly to travel throughout France and paint its landscapes, particularly in the Midi region. In 1925, Terlikowski visited Venice for the first time. The City of the Serenissima quickly became one of his favorite cities. In the early 1930s, Terlikowski traveled regularly to Morocco. He spent World War II at Villa Sainte Anne in Boulouris. Seriously ill, he died in 1951 in Paris. This collection was acquired by the current owner’s grandfather during a trip to Brittany. While staying at an inn, he noticed a group of knife-painted works by the same artist: Wladimir de Terlikowski. The innkeeper told him that the painter had left these works as payment for room and board. This previously unseen collection is exceptional in that it brings together a series of works created by the painter during his stay in Morbihan around 1915–1916. Following this stay, Terlikowski held a solo exhibition in Paris titled “Polish Art in France: Landscapes of Morbihan” at the Bernheim-Jeune Gallery from Monday, November 20, to Saturday, December 2, 1916. There, he presented 51 works inspired by his travels throughout the Morbihan region, notably landscapes of Étel, Erdeven, Belz-Ploemel, and Saint-Cado, which illustrate his deep attachment to Brittany. E.V