MAREK SZWARC (POLISH 1892-1958) Benediction copper relief 39 x 44.5 cm (15 3/8 x 17 1/2 in.) framed dimensions: 51 x 56 cm (20 x 22 in.) signed lower right, "Marek Szwarz / Paris" LOT NOTES Marek Szwarc (May 9, 1892 – December 28, 1958) was a Polish-born painter and sculptor associated with the School of Paris (École de Paris) and the Yiddish avant-garde movement Yung-yidish. Born in Zgierz, Poland, he was the youngest of ten children in a family deeply rooted in Jewish traditions; his father, Isucher Moshe Szwarc, was an Orthodox Jew and active Zionist. In 1910, Szwarc moved to Paris to study at the École des Beaux-Arts. He resided at La Ruche, an artist community that included notable figures such as Chaim Soutine, Marc Chagall, and Amedeo Modigliani. During this period, he co-founded the first Jewish art journal, *Makhmadim* (Precious Ones), and in 1913, he exhibited his first sculpture, "Eve," at the Salon d'Automne. With the onset of World War I, Szwarc returned to Poland and later traveled through the Russian Empire, engaging with Jewish literary circles in Odessa and Kiev. In 1918, he co-founded Yung-yidish, the first Yiddish artistic avant-garde group in Poland, alongside Moyshe Broderzon and other artists. In 1919, Szwarc married writer Guina Pinkus, and the couple settled in Paris. Their daughter, Tereska Torrès, was born in 1920. That same year, Szwarc and his wife converted to Catholicism, though he maintained a strong connection to his Jewish heritage. His works often explored biblical themes from both the Old and New Testaments. Throughout the interwar period, Szwarc's paintings and sculptures gained recognition and were acquired by collectors and museums in Germany, Poland, and the United States. He was known for his work in hammered copper, which was exhibited at the Salon des Tuileries. The art critic Louis Vauxcelles praised Szwarc's work, noting his harmony with contemporary innovators. During World War II, Szwarc volunteered for the Polish army in exile. After France's occupation, he escaped with the Polish army to Scotland, while his family fled to England via Lisbon. Between 1940 and 1943, he created a series of pen and ink drawings depicting the daily life of soldiers. After the war, Szwarc returned to Paris, dedicating himself to sculpting in stone and wood, as well as casting in bronze. Some of his works have been donated to the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme in Paris. Marek Szwarc passed away suddenly on December 28, 1958, in Paris at the age of 66. His memoirs, dictated to his wife in 1954, were published posthumously in 2010 under the title *Marek Szwarc: Memoires entre deux mondes*. Keywords: Polish art, Poland, Jewish, Judaica, Orthodox art N.B. Condition reports are available upon request. All lots are sold in as-is condition at the time of sale. Please note that any condition statement regarding works of art is given as a courtesy to our clients in order to assist them in assessing the condition. The report is a genuine opinion held by Shapiro Auctions and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report or a photograph does not preclude the absence of defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. Shapiro Auctions, LLC., including its consultants and agents, shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.