Multiple portraitΣτανίσουαφ Ιγκνάτσι Βιτκιέβιτς · 1917

Identification of Multiple Portrait by Witkacy

In this intriguing photograph titled Multiple portrait, the artist Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz explores the complexities of identity through a series of reflections. Created about 1917, the work functions as a multiple self-portrait in mirrors, capturing the artist in a moment of profound introspection. It is a quiet, experimental piece that moves beyond simple representation to examine how a single presence can be fragmented and multiplied.

The setting for this study is quite specific and intimate. The image was taken in a cab with mirrors, a choice that allows for the unique layering of the subject's likeness. Within these reflections, Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz appears in the officer's uniform of the Pavlovsky Regiment, adding a layer of formal, perhaps even heavy, historical context to the visual experiment. The presence of the uniform provides a structured contrast to the shifting, mirrored perspectives of the face.

Composition and Visual Elements

The composition is centered upon a rectangular table, around which four men are seated in a manner that suggests a formal meeting or perhaps an interrogation. The arrangement is rigid, defined by a series of strong vertical lines created by the upright bodies and uniforms of the subjects. These are anchored by the horizontal lines of the table surface, establishing a sense of confinement within the room. The scene is captured in black and white, relying on tonal shifts rather than color to define the space.

A mirroring effect introduces a subtle complexity to the arrangement, effectively doubling the number of faces present within the frame. This reflection creates diagonal lines that break the otherwise strict geometry of the composition, adding a layer of visual tension to the setting. The interplay of light and shadow emphasizes the starkness of the environment, focusing the viewer's attention on the interaction between the figures and their reflected counterparts.

Technical Details and Physical Dimensions

This work is a black and white photograph, a medium that allows for a profound exploration of tonal depth and shadow. The object itself is a photograph, capturing a specific, fleeting moment through the interplay of light and dark. It was produced about 1917, a period that informs its stark, monochromatic presence.

The physical scale of the piece is intimate. It measures 16 cm in width and 11.3 cm in height. Such modest dimensions invite a close, personal inspection, requiring the viewer to lean in to fully grasp the nuances of the composition and the subtle textures within the grayscale range. The height of the work is 11.3 cm (4.4 in), while the width is 16 cm (6.2 in).

Museum Collection and Accession Information

This photograph is held within the permanent collections of the Muzeum Sztuki w Łodzi. It remains a significant part of the institution's holdings, preserved under the rights of the Muzeum Sztuki w Łodzi. The work is cataloged under the accession number MS/SN/F/454.

The piece is situated in Łódź, Poland. It is part of the broader Muzeum Sztuki w Łodzi collections, which house various works from this period of Polish modernism. The physical object is maintained within their archival framework to ensure its continued preservation.