Jan Henryk de Rosen
Encyclopedia
Jan Henryk de Rosen was a Polish
painter
and patriot
, who became well known for his mural and mosaic works, in exile
and active in the United States after 1939.
Jan Henryk de Rosen was born in the Russian occupied (Partitions of Poland
) Warsaw, Poland to Jan Rosen and Wanda née Hantke, both scions of Polish esteemed Jewish families that had converted to Calvinism
in the 19th century, however Jan Henryk converted to Catholicism
later on in life. His father was a very active Polish historical and genre painter, who amongst other activities worked as painter at the court of the last Czars of Russia, Alexander III
and Nicholas II
, but his work was mostly dedicated to the Polish historical military history (like other Polish painters Józef Brandt
, Juliusz Kossak
, Wojciech Kossak
, Zygmunt Rozwadowski etc.) and is often used in history textbooks today. Early in his childhood Jan Henryk went to live with his two sisters, Maria and Zofia (she became a noted sculptor), in Paris
, France
, and it is said that he initially wrote poetry before deciding to devote himself to painting. During the First World War he first joined the French Army, 11th regiment of cuirassier
s, fighting at the battles of Ypres and Somme, then he actively promoted the Polish forces in France known as the Blue Army
and joined Polish Army. For his military services he was awarded Polish Virtuti Militari
cross and Cross of Valour
, French Legion of Honour and Croix de guerre
.
Since 1921 he studied painting in Warsaw and had his first major exhibit the same year, while working for the Polish Foreign Affairs ministry. In 1925 had another major exhibition at Zachęta
gallery in Warsaw, and upon seeing his spiritual work Armenian archbishop
Józef Teodorowicz
of Lwów asked him do paint the murals inside the restored Lwów's Armenian Cathedral; the work he finished in 1929, along with another Polish artist Józef Mehoffer
who painted the ceilings there. After that major work, Jan Henryk continued with his religious art in Poland and abroad, amongst others he painted murals at the Kahlenberg
's Chapel of Saint Joseph
near Vienna, Austria, and at the request of Pius IX two murals at papal residence at Castel Gandolfo
. During the 1930s Jan Henryk taught, as a professor of art, at the Lwów Politechnic University(Lviv Polytechnic
). Jan Hnenryk came to United States
in 1939 at the request of the Polish ambassador count
Jerzy Potocki to paint murals at the Polish embassy in Washington showing king Jan III Sobieski at Vienna, and also some decorations for the Polish Pavilion at the World's Fair
.
The outbreak of World War II
followed by Nazi and Soviet occupation of Poland and then the communist takeover of Poland
prompted de Rosen to stay in the US rather than go back home. He later became a professor of church art at the Catholic University of America and a corresponding member of the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America
. He continued painting religious and other works of art throughout his later life while living in the United States, amongst others Jan Henryk painted a canvas of saint
Stanislaus of Szczepanów
for pope
John Paul II.
Among his decorations and paintings are: chapel in the Theological Seminary of L'viv (1929–30), chapel of King Jan Sobieski at Kahlenberg
near Vienna
(1930); pictures in the art museums of L'viv, Lublin
and Bydgoszcz.
Pope Pius XI
commissioned de Rosen to paint murals in his private chapel at Castel Gandolfo
. The painting at the Pope's summer residence make de Rosen the first painter to paint murals in the Pope's chapel since Michelangelo
.
Other murals and mosaics created by de Rosen may be seen at
Other principal works by Jan Henryk de Rosen in the United States
can be seen in Buffalo
, Memphis
, Pittsburgh, and in the California
cities of La Jolla, Hollywood, Pasadena
, Eagle Rock, Monterey Park
, and Sacramento
. One of his greatest creations is hailed as the largest mosaic in the world, the dome of the New Cathedral in St. Louis, Missouri
.
Many of De Rosen's murals were in durable wax tempera (a mixture of pigment
and beeswax
liquefied by alcohol) set in fields of shimmering gold leaf
, on plaster. Interestingly enough, De Rosen is said to have used Dutch beer to liquify the wax.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and patriot
Patriot
A patriot is someone who feels a strong support for his or her country. See Patriotism.Patriot or Patriots may also refer to:- Politics :* Patriot Party , various political parties...
, who became well known for his mural and mosaic works, in exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
and active in the United States after 1939.
Overview
Partitions of Poland
The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, resulting in the elimination of sovereign Poland for 123 years...
) Warsaw, Poland to Jan Rosen and Wanda née Hantke, both scions of Polish esteemed Jewish families that had converted to Calvinism
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
in the 19th century, however Jan Henryk converted to Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
later on in life. His father was a very active Polish historical and genre painter, who amongst other activities worked as painter at the court of the last Czars of Russia, Alexander III
Alexander III of Russia
Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov , historically remembered as Alexander III or Alexander the Peacemaker reigned as Emperor of Russia from until his death on .-Disposition:...
and Nicholas II
Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...
, but his work was mostly dedicated to the Polish historical military history (like other Polish painters Józef Brandt
Józef Brandt
Józef Brandt was a Polish painter, best known for his paintings of battles.Brandt studied in Warsaw in the school of J.N. Leszczynski and at the Noblemen's Institute. In 1858 he left for Paris to study at the Ecole centrale Paris but was persuaded by Juliusz Kossak to abandon engineering in favor...
, Juliusz Kossak
Juliusz Kossak
Juliusz Fortunat Kossak was a Polish historical painter and master illustrator who specialized in battle scenes, military portraits and horses...
, Wojciech Kossak
Wojciech Kossak
Wojciech Kossak was a Polish painter and member of the celebrated Kossak family of painters and writers...
, Zygmunt Rozwadowski etc.) and is often used in history textbooks today. Early in his childhood Jan Henryk went to live with his two sisters, Maria and Zofia (she became a noted sculptor), in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and it is said that he initially wrote poetry before deciding to devote himself to painting. During the First World War he first joined the French Army, 11th regiment of cuirassier
Cuirassier
Cuirassiers were mounted cavalry soldiers equipped with armour and firearms, first appearing in late 15th-century Europe. They were the successors of the medieval armoured knights...
s, fighting at the battles of Ypres and Somme, then he actively promoted the Polish forces in France known as the Blue Army
Blue Army
The Blue Army, or Haller's Army, are informal names given to the Polish Army units formed in France during the later stages of World War I. The army was created in June 1917 as part of the Polish units allied to the Entente. After the Great War ended, the units were transferred to Poland, where...
and joined Polish Army. For his military services he was awarded Polish Virtuti Militari
Virtuti Militari
The Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war...
cross and Cross of Valour
Cross of Valour
The Cross of Valour may refer to one of a number of decorations:* The Cross of Valour is Australia's highest civil award.* The Cross of Valour is Canada's highest civil award....
, French Legion of Honour and Croix de guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
.
Since 1921 he studied painting in Warsaw and had his first major exhibit the same year, while working for the Polish Foreign Affairs ministry. In 1925 had another major exhibition at Zachęta
Zacheta
The Zachęta National Gallery of Art, short Zachęta, , is one of Poland's most notable institutions for contemporary art. Situated in the centre of Warsaw, the main aim of the gallery is to present and support primarily Polish contemporary art and artists...
gallery in Warsaw, and upon seeing his spiritual work Armenian archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Józef Teodorowicz
Józef Teodorowicz
Józef Teodorowicz Հովսէպ Թեոֆիլ Թեոդորովիչ was the last Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Lviv. Most of his family were of Armenian origin and had lived centuries in Poland....
of Lwów asked him do paint the murals inside the restored Lwów's Armenian Cathedral; the work he finished in 1929, along with another Polish artist Józef Mehoffer
Józef Mehoffer
Józef Mehoffer was a Polish painter and decorative artist, one of the leading artists of the Young Poland movement and one of the most revered Polish artists of his time.-Life:...
who painted the ceilings there. After that major work, Jan Henryk continued with his religious art in Poland and abroad, amongst others he painted murals at the Kahlenberg
Kahlenberg
Kahlenberg is a mountain located in the 19th District within Vienna, Austria .-General:Kahlenberg lies in the Wienerwald and is one of the most popular destinations for day-trips from Vienna, offering a view over the entire city. Parts of Lower Austria can also be seen from Stefaniewarte at the...
's Chapel of Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ ....
near Vienna, Austria, and at the request of Pius IX two murals at papal residence at Castel Gandolfo
Castel Gandolfo
Castel Gandolfo is a small Italian town or comune in Lazio that occupies a height overlooking Lake Albano about 15 miles south-east of Rome, on the Alban Hills. It is best known as the summer residence of the Pope. It is an Italian town with the population of 8834...
. During the 1930s Jan Henryk taught, as a professor of art, at the Lwów Politechnic University(Lviv Polytechnic
Lviv Polytechnic
Lviv Polytechnic National University is the largest scientific university in Lviv. Since its foundation in 1844, it was one of the most important centres of science and technological development in Central Europe. In the interbellum period, the Polytechnic was one of the most important technical...
). Jan Hnenryk came to United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1939 at the request of the Polish ambassador count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
Jerzy Potocki to paint murals at the Polish embassy in Washington showing king Jan III Sobieski at Vienna, and also some decorations for the Polish Pavilion at the World's Fair
1939 New York World's Fair
The 1939–40 New York World's Fair, which covered the of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park , was the second largest American world's fair of all time, exceeded only by St. Louis's Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904. Many countries around the world participated in it, and over 44 million people...
.
The outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
followed by Nazi and Soviet occupation of Poland and then the communist takeover of Poland
History of Poland (1945–1989)
The history of Poland from 1945 to 1989 spans the period of Soviet Communist dominance imposed after the end of World War II over the People's Republic of Poland...
prompted de Rosen to stay in the US rather than go back home. He later became a professor of church art at the Catholic University of America and a corresponding member of the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America
Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America
The Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America is a Polish-American scholarly institution headquartered in Manhattan , at 208 East 30th Street.-History:...
. He continued painting religious and other works of art throughout his later life while living in the United States, amongst others Jan Henryk painted a canvas of saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
Stanislaus of Szczepanów
Stanislaus of Szczepanów
Stanislaus of Szczepanów, or Stanisław Szczepanowski, was a Bishop of Kraków known chiefly for having been martyred by the Polish king Bolesław II the Bold...
for pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
John Paul II.
Work
Jan Henryk de Rosen designed so many murals and mosaics for churches and cathedrals over the span of his 50 year career that the artist claimed to have lost count, noting that "The total of my paintings and mosaics, I suppose, is like the pebbles on the shore of the sea."Among his decorations and paintings are: chapel in the Theological Seminary of L'viv (1929–30), chapel of King Jan Sobieski at Kahlenberg
Kahlenberg
Kahlenberg is a mountain located in the 19th District within Vienna, Austria .-General:Kahlenberg lies in the Wienerwald and is one of the most popular destinations for day-trips from Vienna, offering a view over the entire city. Parts of Lower Austria can also be seen from Stefaniewarte at the...
near Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
(1930); pictures in the art museums of L'viv, Lublin
Lublin
Lublin is the ninth largest city in Poland. It is the capital of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 350,392 . Lublin is also the largest Polish city east of the Vistula river...
and Bydgoszcz.
Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI , born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was Pope from 6 February 1922, and sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929 until his death on 10 February 1939...
commissioned de Rosen to paint murals in his private chapel at Castel Gandolfo
Castel Gandolfo
Castel Gandolfo is a small Italian town or comune in Lazio that occupies a height overlooking Lake Albano about 15 miles south-east of Rome, on the Alban Hills. It is best known as the summer residence of the Pope. It is an Italian town with the population of 8834...
. The painting at the Pope's summer residence make de Rosen the first painter to paint murals in the Pope's chapel since Michelangelo
Michelangelo
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni , commonly known as Michelangelo, was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer who exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art...
.
Other murals and mosaics created by de Rosen may be seen at
- The Shrine of the Immaculate ConceptionBasilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate ConceptionThe Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a prominent Latin Rite Catholic basilica located in Washington, D.C., honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Patroness of the United States...
in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution.... - St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Prescott, ArizonaPrescott, ArizonaPrescott is a city in Yavapai County, Arizona, USA. It was designated "Arizona's Christmas City" by Arizona Governor Rose Mofford in the late 1980s....
- Grace Cathedral in San Francisco's Nob Hill district.
- The Purgatorial shrine in St. Wenceslaus Roman Catholic ChurchSt. Wenceslaus in ChicagoSt. Wenceslaus - historic church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago located in, Chicago, Illinois.One of the many Polish churches visible from the Kennedy Expressway, it is, along with St. Hyacinth Basilica, one of two monumental religious edifices that dominates the Avondale skyline...
in ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. - The lobby of the National Welfare Conference Building in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
- St. Catherine's Military AcademySt. Catherine's Military AcademySt. Catherine’s Academy is a Catholic military school located in Anaheim, California. It was founded in 1889 by The Dominican Sisters of Mission San José. The school offers a challenging academic program for boys in kindergarten through eighth grade, as well as military structure and leadership...
Chapel in Anaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
Other principal works by Jan Henryk de Rosen in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
can be seen in Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, Pittsburgh, and in the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
cities of La Jolla, Hollywood, Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, Eagle Rock, Monterey Park
Monterey Park, California
Monterey Park is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, east of downtown Los Angeles. The city's motto is "Pride in the past, Faith in the future"...
, and Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
. One of his greatest creations is hailed as the largest mosaic in the world, the dome of the New Cathedral in St. Louis, Missouri
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, also known as the Saint Louis Cathedral or the New Cathedral, was completed in 1914 in St. Louis, Missouri, as the archdiocesan replacement for the Cathedral of St. Louis, King of France...
.
Many of De Rosen's murals were in durable wax tempera (a mixture of pigment
Pigment
A pigment is a material that changes the color of reflected or transmitted light as the result of wavelength-selective absorption. This physical process differs from fluorescence, phosphorescence, and other forms of luminescence, in which a material emits light.Many materials selectively absorb...
and beeswax
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax produced in the bee hive of honey bees of the genus Apis. It is mainly esters of fatty acids and various long chain alcohols...
liquefied by alcohol) set in fields of shimmering gold leaf
Gold leaf
right|thumb|250px|[[Burnishing]] gold leaf with an [[agate]] stone tool, during the water gilding processGold leaf is gold that has been hammered into extremely thin sheets and is often used for gilding. Gold leaf is available in a wide variety of karats and shades...
, on plaster. Interestingly enough, De Rosen is said to have used Dutch beer to liquify the wax.