Photography as a record of stage reality

Theatre photography is also worth taking a closer look at because of the enormous effort that goes into creating a performance and the fact that not much is left of it afterwards. Luckily, sometimes performances are recorded on video, and in rare cases, the set, costumes and designs are not destroyed.

But nothing captures the performance as faithfully as the performance itself: it builds up with every clatter, every grunt of the actor, with every swirl of dust in the sheaf of theatrical lights. Nothing but the atmosphere of the theatre can do it justice. There is a misrepresentation and a sense of betrayal in any performance recording; when these misrepresentations are superimposed on the fluctuations of the audience's memory (each different), we get a panoply of disparate records. The medium that is probably closest to theatre and most faithful to it is photography. Hence the idea of devoting an exhibition to it.

Photography, like video, is a mechanical recording and a relatively faithful reflection of stage reality. It sequences theatrical material into frames and images similarly to human memory, which is why the associations are so close, and photography is read as a natural, unaltered record. It is true that it chooses the most convenient points of view (in space and time) and sometimes constructs points of view that are entirely new and independent of the viewer's memory (because, for various reasons, they are inaccessible to them), but, unlike video recordings, it does not create a separate narrative that is filmed simultaneously by several cameras.

Read the full text by Wojciech Nowicki regarding the second part of the exhibition (1919-1989)
(417.18 KB, PDF)
Jan
Bułhak

The Eaglet dir. Ferdynand Ruszczyc

Polski Municipal Theatre in Vilnius

From the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw

1912
Artistic maturity of photographers
Jan
Bułhak

A portrait of an actress in a role

Vilnius 

From the collection of the Photography Museum in Kraków

1927
Artistic maturity of photographers
Jan
Malarski

Józef Węgrzyn is portrayed in the photograph

Mazepa dir. Kazimierz Kamiński

Narodowy Theatre in Warsaw 

Private collection

1924
Artistic maturity of photographers
author
unknown

Irena Cywińska and Ignacy Wiśniewski are portrayed in the photograph

Jontek’s Revenge

Wielki Theatre in Poznań

Private collection

1926
Artistic maturity of photographers
author
unknown

Celina Niedźwiedzka is portrayed in the photograph

Snow

Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków

Private collection

1927
Artistic maturity of photographers
author
unknown

Juliusz Słowacki Theatre Orchestra

Kraków 

Private collection

1937
Artistic maturity of photographers
Henryk
Hermanowicz

Ewa Szumańska is portrayed in the photograph

Too Big of a Family dir. Krystyna Severin-Zelwerowicz

Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków

Private collection

1946
Artistic maturity of photographers
Henryk
Hermanowicz

Ewa Szumańska is portrayed in the photograph

Kraków 1945-1950

Private collection

1945
Artistic maturity of photographers
Franciszek
Myszkowski

Ida Kamińska is portrayed in the photograph

Mother Courage and Her Children dir. Ida Kamińska

Ester Rachel Kamińska Żydowski Theatre in Warsaw 

Private collection

1957
Artistic maturity of photographers
Edward
Hartwig

Warsaw 

From the collection of the Photography Museum in Kraków

1951
Artistic maturity of photographers
Edward
Hartwig

Ateneum Theatre, Warsaw 1960-1980

From the collection of the Theatre Museum of the Wielki Theatre – National Opera

1960
Artistic maturity of photographers
Edward
Hartwig

Make-up, 1960-1969

From the collection of the Theatre Museum of the Wielki Theatre – National Opera

1960
Artistic maturity of photographers
Edward
Hartwig

The backstage

Ateneum Theatre, Warsaw 1960-1969

From the collection of the Theatre Museum of the Wielki Theatre – National Opera

1960
Artistic maturity of photographers
Edward
Hartwig

Set design staff

Wielki Theatre, Warsaw 1960-1969

From the collection of the Theatre Museum of the Wielki Theatre – National Opera

1960
Artistic maturity of photographers
Edward
Hartwig

Otto Axer’s set design assembly for King Roger dir. Bronisław Horowicz

Wielki Theatre in Warsaw 

From the collection of the Theatre Museum of the Wielki Theatre – National Opera

1965
Artistic maturity of photographers
Edward
Hartwig

Wielki Theatre stage

Warsaw 1965-1969

From the collection of the Theatre Museum of the Wielki Theatre – National Opera

1965
Artistic maturity of photographers
Edward
Hartwig

Workshop at the Wielki Theatre

Warsaw 1960-1969

From the collection of the Theatre Museum of the Wielki Theatre – National Opera

1960
Artistic maturity of photographers
Edward
Hartwig

Workshop at the Wielki Theatre

Warsaw 1960-1969

From the collection of the Theatre Museum of the Wielki Theatre – National Opera

1960
Artistic maturity of photographers
Edward
Hartwig

Andrzej Łapicki is portrayed in the photograph

The Wedding dir. Adam Hanuszkiewicz

Wielki Theatre in Warsaw 

From the collection of the Theatre Museum of the Wielki Theatre – National Opera

1974
Artistic maturity of photographers
Adam
Drozdowski

Orpheus in Hell dir. Zofia Jaremowa

Puppet Theatre Groteska in Kraków 

Private collection

1956
Artistic maturity of photographers
Adam
Drozdowski

The Master of Two Servants dir. Krystyna Skuszanka

Ludowy Theatre in Kraków 

Private collection

1957
Artistic maturity of photographers
Juliusz
Wolski

Achilles and the Ladies dir. Zofia Jaremowa

Puppet Theatre Groteska in Kraków 

Private collection

1962
Artistic maturity of photographers
Juliusz
Wolski

The Martyrdom od Peter Ohey dir. Zofia Jaremowa

Puppet Theatre Groteska in Kraków 

Private collection

1959
Artistic maturity of photographers
Bronisław
Stapiński

The Little Golden Cock dir. Sławomir Żerdzicki

Śląska Opera in Bytom

Private collection

1961
Artistic maturity of photographers
Bronisław
Stapiński

Ewa Lassek and Ludwik Paczyński are portrayed in the photograph

The Little Prince dir. Zofia Truszkowska

Stanisław Wyspiański Śląski Theatre in Katowice

Private collection

1959
Artistic maturity of photographers
Irena
Jarosińska

Vivisection dir. Miron Białoszewski

“Na Tarczyńskiej” Theatre in Warsaw 

From the Anka Ptaszkowska collection. Courtesy of the Modern Art Museum in Warsaw.

1955
Artistic maturity of photographers
Irena
Jarosińska

Miron Białoszewski is portrayed in the photograph.

Crusades dir. Miron Białoszewski

Warsaw 

From the Anka Ptaszkowska collection. Courtesy of the Modern Art Museum in Warsaw.

1955
Artistic maturity of photographers
Marek
Piasecki

Ludmiła Murawska in a costume is portrayed in the photograph

Osobny Theatre, Warsaw 1958-1963

© J. Turowicz-Piasecka / Archeologia Fotografii Foundation

1958
Artistic maturity of photographers
Marek
Piasecki

Ludmiła Murawska in a costume is portrayed in the photograph

Osobny Theatre in Warsaw 

© J. Turowicz-Piasecka / Archeologia Fotografii Foundation

1959
Artistic maturity of photographers
Marek
Piasecki

Rats dir. Miron Białoszewski

Osobny Theatre in Warsaw 

© J. Turowicz-Piasecka / Archeologia Fotografii Foundation

1959
Artistic maturity of photographers
Marek
Piasecki

Ludmiła Murawska, Ludwig Hering and Miron Białoszewski are portrayed in the photograph

dir. Miron Białoszewski

Osobny Theatre, Warsaw 1958-1963

© J. Turowicz-Piasecka / Archeologia Fotografii Foundation

1958
Artistic maturity of photographers
Marek
Piasecki

Ludmiła Murawska and Miron Białoszewski are portrayed in the photograph

Lady Koch dir. Miron Białoszewski

Osobny Theatre in Warsaw 

© J. Turowicz-Piasecka / Archeologia Fotografii Foundation

1959
Artistic maturity of photographers
Marek
Piasecki

A photograph of the theatre

1953-1967

© J. Turowicz-Piasecka / Archeologia Fotografii Foundation

1953
Artistic maturity of photographers
Andrzej
Moskwiak

Scene from a play

Kraków 1968-1972

From the collection of the Photography Museum in Kraków

1986
Artistic maturity of photographers
author
unknown

Ryszard Cieślak is portrayed in the photograph

Laboratorium 13 Rzędów Theatre in Opole 

Laboratorium Theatre / Archives of the Jerzy Grotowski Institute

1964
Artistic maturity of photographers
author
unknown

Ryszard Cieślak is portrayed in the photograph

Laboratorium 13 Rzędów Theatre in Opole 

Laboratorium Theatre / Archives of the Jerzy Grotowski Institute

1964
Artistic maturity of photographers
author
unknown

Mieczysław Janowski is portrayed in the photograph

Laboratorium 13 Rzędów Theatre in Opole 

Laboratorium Theatre / Archives of the Jerzy Grotowski Institute

1964
Artistic maturity of photographers
author
unknown

Acropolis dir. Jerzy Grotowski

Laboratorium 13 Rzędów Theatre in Opole 

Laboratorium Theatre / Archives of the Jerzy Grotowski Institute

1962
Artistic maturity of photographers
author
unknown

Ryszard Cieślak is portrayed in the photograph

The Constant Prince dir. Jerzy Grotowski

Laboratorium 13 Rzędów Theatre – Institute of Resarch on the Acting Method in Wrocław -

Laboratorium Theatre / Archives of the Jerzy Grotowski Institute

1965
Artistic maturity of photographers
Eustachy
Kossakowski

Apocalypsis cum figuris dir. Jerzy Grotowski

Laboratorium 13 Rzędów Theatre, Venice 

© Anka Ptaszkowska, Paulina Krasińska. Negatives are the property of the Modern Art Museum in Warsaw

1975
Artistic maturity of photographers
Aleksander
Wasilewicz

Kazimierz Mikulski and Jerzy Nowak are portrayed in the photograph

The Circus dir. Tadeusz Kantor

Cricot 2 Theatre in Kraków 

Private collection

1957
Artistic maturity of photographers
Jacek
Maria Stokłosa

Tadeusz Kantor is portrayed in the photograph

The Moore Hen dir. Tadeusz Kantor

Cricot 2 Theatre, Krzysztofory Gallery in Kraków 

From the collection of the Photography Museum in Kraków

1967
Artistic maturity of photographers
Jacek
Maria Stokłosa

Tadeusz Kantor is portrayed in the photograph

Dainty Shapes and Hairy Apes dir. Tadeusz Kantor

Cricot 2 Theatre, Krzysztofory Gallery in Kraków

From the collection of the Photography Museum in Kraków

1973
Artistic maturity of photographers
Jacek
Maria Stokłosa

The Dead Class dir. Tadeusz Kantor

Cricot 2 Theatre, Krzysztofory Gallery in Kraków 

From the collection of the Photography Museum in Kraków

1975
Artistic maturity of photographers
Jacek
Maria Stokłosa

Model Iwona with the Pedel mannequin from The Dead Class dir. Tadeusz Kantor

Cricot 2 Theatre, Krzysztofory Gallery, Kraków 1976-1978

From the collection of the Photography Museum in Kraków

1976
Artistic maturity of photographers
Henryk
Makarewicz

The Moore Hen dir. Tadeusz Kantor

Cricot 2 Theatre, Krzysztofory Gallery in Kraków 

Private collection

1967
Artistic maturity of photographers
author
unknown

Where Is the Long Lost Snow dir. Tadeusz Kantor about 1980

Archives of Anka Ptaszkowska. Courtesy of the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw

1980
Artistic maturity of photographers
Eustachy
Kossakowski

Where Is the Long Lost Snow dir. Tadeusz Kantor Cricot 2 Theatre

Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris

© Anka Ptaszkowska, Paulina Krasińska. The negatives are the property of the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw

1982
Artistic maturity of photographers
Eustachy
Kossakowski

Wielopole, Wielopole dir. Tadeusz Kantor

Cricot 2 Theatre, Théâtre Bouffe du Nord in Paris

© Anka Ptaszkowska, Paulina Krasińska. The negatives are the property of the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw

1980
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

At the Bottom dir. Lidia Słomczyńska

Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1960
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

The Joy of Recovering the Garbage Can dir. Jerzy Krassowski

Ludowy Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1960
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

Rhinoceros dir. Piotr Pawłowski

Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

 

1961
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

The play Wedding dir. Andrzej Wajda

Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1963
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

A Midsummer’s Night Dream dir. Lidia Zamkow

Ludowy Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1963
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

Death on the Pear Tree dir. Józef Szajna

Ludowy Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1964
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

Mother dir. Jerzy Jarocki

Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1964
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

An Empty Field dir. Józef Szajna

Ludowy Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1965
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

Mackbeth dir. Lidia Zamkow

Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1966
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

The Bath dir. Józef Szajna

Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1967
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

King Mięsopust dir. Bogdan Hussakowski

Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1970
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

A Midsummer’s Night Dream dir. Konrad Swinarski

Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1970
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

Demons dir. Andrzej Wajda

Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków

Author’s archive

1971
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

The Immigrants dir. Andrzej Wajda

Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1976
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

He Left the House dir. Piotr Paradowski

Polski Theatre in Wrocław 

From the collection of the Photography Museum in Kraków

1976
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

Jan Nowicki is portrayed in the photograph

Nastazja Filipowna dir. Andrzej Wajda

Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków 

From the collection of the Photography Museum in Kraków

1977
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

Antigone dir. Helmut Kajzar

Powszechny Theatre in Warsaw

Private collection

1982
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

Dream City dir. Krystian Lupa

Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków 

Author’s archive

1985
Artistic maturity of photographers
Wojciech
Plewiński

The actors of the Helena Modrzejewska Stary Theatre in Kraków

A layout of the internal covers of an unpublished book on theatre photography

Kraków 1980-1989

From the collection of the Photography Museum in Kraków

1980
Artistic maturity of photographers
Adam
Bujak

Jerzy Trela is portrayed in the photograph

1980-1989

Private collection

1980
Artistic maturity of photographers
Anna Beata
Bohdziewicz

Krystyna Janda portrayed in the photograph

Cenacle dir. Andrzej Wajda

Church of Divine Mercy in Warsaw 

Private collection

1985
Artistic maturity of photographers
Anna Beata
Bohdziewicz

Tadeusz Łomnicki is portrayed in the photograph

The End dir. Antoni Libera

Stanisław Ignacy Witkieiwcz Studio Theatre in Warsaw 

Private collection

1986
Artistic maturity of photographers