Polish Artist’s Terrifying Art And His Sad Life Story

Published 9 years ago

Apocalyptic and dystopian art has been popular since about the 90’s. Few works are darker than those of Zdzisław Beksiński. His creatures are misshaped wretches that might have been human once, his landscapes are painted orange and red by some unseen fires; Eerie monstrosities stride in the mists surrounding foreboding monuments. What does it all mean? Nothing – Beksinski never knew the meaning behind his works and was adamant against any sort of interpretation.

Despite what his work would suggest, Zdzisław Beksiński was considered to be a kind man who possessed a keen sense of humor. He didn’t like painting in silence, so he was always surrounded by classical music (though he didn’t mind rock, either). Beksiński credited music as his inspiration.

His life ended tragically: his son killed himself a year after Beksiński wife had died, and he was eventually stabbed to death over $100.

(h/t: boredpanda)

Read more

Zdzisław Beksiński was born in Sanok, southern Poland.

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-2

Zdzisław started in construction and architecture, but hated it, and became famous as a painter.

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-24

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-10

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-25

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-15

Despite his fame as a painter, as well as works as photographer, illustrator, sculptor and graphic designer, Zdzisław Beksiński had never had any formal training in the arts.

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-21

In 50s he spent a few years working as a supervisor at construction sites in Krakow and Rzeszow for Autosan bus factory, designing buses and minibuses.

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-22

He painted on hardwood boards he prepared himself. He mostly used oils, though he experimented with acrylics, too.

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-3

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-26

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-9

Beksiński never provided names nor explanations for any of his paintings. 

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-1

While his art was grim, Beksiński was a kind man with a keen sense of humor

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-4

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-14

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-5

In 1984 he established a contract with Piotr Dmochowski, who spread his popularity in the west.

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-11

Most of the the disturbing, apocalyptic artwork was made during the fantastic period that lasted up to mid 1980s.

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-12

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-13

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-7

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-8

“I wish to paint in such a manner as if I were photographing dreams.”

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-6

His wife died in 1998. A year later, his son, a popular radio host and movie translator, committed suicide.

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-20

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-16

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-27

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-23

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-28

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-18

Beksiński was stabbed to death in Warsaw in 2005. The killer was the son of his long time caretaker who murdered him over about $100.

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-17

This is his last painting – “Y” – 21.02.2005 – 98 x 98 cm – finished on the day of his death.

gothic-dystopian-postapocalyptic-surreal-paintings-zdzisław-beksinski-19

Martynas Klimas

Writes like a mad dervish, rolls to dodge responsibility, might have bitten the Moon once.

Got wisdom to pour?

500-

Tags

apocalyptic images, dark paintings, dystoia, dystopian images, dystopian paintings, dystopian works, gothic images, gothic paintings, gothic works, Polish artist, Polish painter, Zdzisław Beksiński
Tweet
21