Edward Wittig

Who was Edward Wittig?

Edward Wittig was a Polish sculptor and university professor, notable for designing many monuments in Warsaw.

Born in Warsaw, Wittig went on to study art at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna under the tutelage of J. Tautenheim between 1897 and 1900. He then moved to Paris, where he graduated from the École des Beaux-Arts. His tutor there was Madeleine Jouvray, a pupil of Auguste Rodin and Lucien Schnegg. One of his friends during this period was Magnus Enckell. In 1909 he returned to Poland and settled in Podolia, in a residence owned by friends. There he prepared a number of sculptures, some of which were presented at the Paris Salon. After 1903, he was invited to display his work at many top art galleries. His works were also featured at the Zachęta gallery in Warsaw, at the Society of Friends of Fine Arts of Kraków, and the Venice Biennale in 1920 and 1934.

Between 1915 and 1920, he was one of the professors of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, and was subsequently a professor at the Warsaw University of Science and Technology. Initially a student of Rodin, in the early 1900s Wittig developed his own style, with stronger contrasts and less symbolism.