{"title":"The Franciszek Starowieyski Collection","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"lot-of-7-polish-posters-p6570-17-3","title":"Frank V by Starowieyski","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis striking theater poster by Franciszek Starowieyski exemplifies the genius of the Polish School of Posters at its early peak. Created for the Teatr Dramatyczny's production of Friedrich Dürrenmatt's satirical opera \"Frank V\" (subtitled \"Opera of a Private Bank\"), the design delivers a devastating visual critique: a human skull seamlessly fused with neoclassical bank architecture, complete with domed cupola, Corinthian columns, and a mysterious figure crouching in the balcony.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStarowieyski's surrealist vision transforms Dürrenmatt's dark comedy about a criminal banking dynasty into an unforgettable emblem of institutional corruption. The sepia palette and masterful draftsmanship recall anatomical illustrations and architectural renderings alike, while the unsettling fusion speaks to the death inherent in ruthless capitalism. A single flesh-toned tongue provides the only color accent, suggesting the lies that sustain such institutions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA remarkable example of how Polish poster artists transcended mere advertising to create genuine works of art, this piece represents the convergence of theatrical avant-garde and graphic design mastery that made Warsaw a center of poster innovation during the Cold War era.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 33.0\" x 22.0\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Franciszek Starowieyski\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very Good, Age-appropriate wear, fading and toning. General border wear. Please use the photo zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Authentic Vintage Posters","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43198568530035,"sku":"P6570-17-3","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0088\/3005\/8556\/files\/edited_9ef4b305-aee0-4ee0-b464-ff71868cce5a.jpg?v=1776211193"},{"product_id":"f-starowieyski-operetka","title":"Operetta by Starowieyski","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis original Polish theatre poster was created for \u003cstrong\u003eOperetka\u003c\/strong\u003e, staged at Teatr Muzyczny in Słupsk. The imagery is deliberately unsettling, transforming a decorative Rococo style table into a surreal stage where organic forms, bodily matter, and theatrical excess collide. It reflects Gombrowicz’s sharp critique of social form, hierarchy, and the absurd rituals of power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition is characteristic of postwar Polish graphic design, where metaphor replaces literal narrative. The melting pink surface, erupting forms, and skull beneath the table suggest decay beneath elegance, performance masking instability. Rather than illustrating plot, the artist distills the psychological and philosophical tension of the work into a single symbolic image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePosters for Gombrowicz productions are highly regarded within the Polish School of Posters, valued for their intellectual density and fearless visual language. This piece stands as a striking example of how Polish designers used theater posters as autonomous works of art, merging literature, philosophy, and graphic experimentation into one unforgettable image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-label=\"Size\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 38.0\" x 28.0\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-label=\"Artist\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Franciszek Starowieyski\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-label=\"Condition\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very Good, Age appropriate wear, fading and toning. General border wear. Faint background creases. Please use zoom to get a better understanding of overall condition. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Authentic Vintage Posters","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43771013333107,"sku":"P6675-15","price":240.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0088\/3005\/8556\/files\/STARr-m.jpg?v=1766528449"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.authenticvintageposters.com\/en-nl\/collections\/the-franciszek-starowieyski-collection.oembed","provider":"Authentic Vintage Posters","version":"1.0","type":"link"}