Wspomnienie o Bronisławie Schönbornie (1909—1971)

Abstract

A RECOLLECTION ON BRONISŁAW SCHÖNBORN (1909—1971)

Bronisław Schönborn was a well-known Cracow graphic artist, who documented and promoted Cracow historical monuments. He was born in Poznań and studied French philology at Poznań University in the period between the two world wars. Later he studied Italian language and art in the Academy for Foreigners in Perugia and the Faculty of Architecture of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. After the war, in 1945, he came to Cracow and spent the rest of his life here. His artistic work include a series of drawings devoted to a specific group of Cracow monuments — ’’Suburban houses in Zwierzyniec” (1946—1948), ’’The reconstruction of old Cracow architecture”, ’’Courtyards, halls and stairways of Cracow houses” (1950), ’’Cracow portals 15th-18th centuries” (1952—1953) and ’’The royal castle of Wawel” (1958—1960).
He documented the Renaissance architecture of Tarnów, Zamość, Sandomierz, Lublin and Jarosław. He made his drawings in Koh-i-Noor crayon on cardboard paper. His drawings were displayed in Cracow, Rome, Florence, Paris, Vlke Tyrnovo, Leipzig, Kiev and in other cties.
Schönborn is memorable as a great promoter of Cracow monumental architecture. He was an excellent guide, lecturer and journalist. He collaborated with Historical Museum of the City of Cracow and the Society of Lovers of Cracow History and Monuments. He was honoured with the award of a Golden Distinction of the City of Cracow (1959), the City of Cracow Artistic Award (1962) and the Millenium Award of the Polish State (1963).