Fogtt on Witkacy – Inspiration and Reinterpretation

“We’ve had something to say to each other for a long time.” – with these words, Andrzej Fogtt begins his reflection on the inspiration and deeply internalized connection he shares with Witkacy through their art. The Poznań-based painter, known for his expressive and dynamic compositions, draws inspiration from various sources in his work – among them, the legacy of Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, known as Witkacy.

The book Fogtt on Witkacy reveals Fogtt’s fascination with the legendary artist and his unique approach to portraiture. It is not only an attempt to analyse Witkacy’s style but also a reflection on how his art has influenced contemporary painting. Let us consider the force of mutual impact between these two creators.

Witkacy became famous as the founder of the Portrait Firm, through which he painted portraits according to specific conventions, using various “types” based on the model’s mood and temperament. His portraits—often caricatured, exaggerated, and full of expression—aimed not just to capture the subject’s appearance, but above all, their inner self. He experimented with colour, distortion, and expressive line, rejecting the academic approach to realistic facial representation.

Among his most renowned works are portraits of prominent figures such as Bronisław Malinowski, Janina Turowska, and Maria Nawrocka, which showcase his signature use of vivid colours, strong contours, and grotesque expression. He often gave his works a surreal, almost psychedelic character—especially evident in portraits created under the influence of stimulants, in line with his experimental approach to art.

Portret Neny Stachurskiej (1930) Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz

Fogtt draws from Witkacy’s philosophy, transforming it in his own way. Like Witkacy’s, his figures radiate energy and intense expression—but Fogtt employs a more abstract visual language. Instead of precise contours and grotesque exaggerations, he works with light, movement, and colour, creating the impression of an almost kinetic presence of the figure.

His works reflect echoes of Witkacy’s approach to portraiture as an emotional record of personality, yet filtered through contemporary modes of expression. Fogtt on Witkacy is therefore not only an analysis of artistic kinship but also a testament to the timeless power of expression that binds these two artists.

Portret Henryka Stażewskiego (2015) Andrzej Fogtt

Fogtt, while drawing inspiration from Witkacy, does not replicate his style but transforms it into something entirely new. His painting, though closely aligned with the idea of psychological expression, is more abstract, dynamic, and immersed in a modern aesthetic.

This creative reinterpretation demonstrates that true originality lies not in imitation, but in the ability to filter inspiration through one’s own sensitivity and experience. Through this dialogue between past and present, Fogtt’s art becomes a testament to the timeless power of expression—one that continues to surprise and move us.