April 24, 2024 Bill Swislow

Zakopane Cemetery

This cemetery is well worth the trip to Zakopane, the town’s other virtues aside. It’s not huge, but its mix of folky and modernist memorials — sometimes combined in a single monument — makes it an artistic treasure.

Among the memorials, folky and modernist alike, at the Zakopane Cemetery

Among the memorials, folky and modernist alike, at the Zakopane Cemetery

Among the memorials, folky and modernist alike, at the Zakopane Cemetery

Among the memorials, folky and modernist alike, at the Zakopane Cemetery

Among the memorials, folky and modernist alike, at the Zakopane Cemetery

Folky carvings for Karol Stryjenski around a modernist sculpture

Folky carvings for Karol Stryjenski around a modernist sculpture

I really like the pensive Jesus pose, which I've not noticed anywhere else.

I really like the pensive Jesus pose, which I've not noticed anywhere else.

Pensive Jesus, mossy rocks, rustic enclosure, abstracted cross. A lot to love

Not sure if this pensive Jesus is very abstract or very worn

Not sure if this pensive Jesus is very abstract or very worn

Pensive Jesus folky to the max

This pensive Jesus has a Rodan's Thinker-like quality

This pensive Jesus has a Rodan's Thinker-like quality

This pensive Jesus has a Rodan's Thinker-like quality

Grave marker for the pensive Thinker

Pensive Jesus in a rustic setting

Pensive Jesus in a rustic setting

Pensive Jesus in a rustic setting

Another pensive Jesus in a rustic setting

And again, this time with bonus mossiness

Some graves go full botanic

Some graves go full botanic

Some graves go full botanic

And mossy as the case may be

This botanic grave also features a remarkable metalwork cross

Cross with moon, sun and religious figure, apparently made with rebar

Cross with moon, sun and religious figure, apparently made with rebar, detail

Cross with moon, sun and religious figure, apparently made with rebar, detail

Cross with moon, sun and religious figure, apparently made with rebar, detail

This marker seems very much like the shrines found all along rural roads

This marker seems very much like the shrines found all along rural roads

Another with a roadside shrine feeling

Three rustic memorals

The figures seem very 1960s Catholic contemporary. It's the case that really makes this memorial

A closer look at Zygmunt Piekacz's figure is rewarding

A closer look at Zygmunt Piekacz's figure is rewarding

A closer look at Zygmunt Piekacz's figure is rewarding

More rustic and modern co-existing. Check out the cross right rear

A nice bit of abstraction hosting the crucified Christ

But check out the sculpted figures on that other grave

Sculpted figures

Sculpted figures

Sculpted figures

Craftsman with child and tools

Great uses of wood

Great uses of wood

Great uses of wood

Great uses of wood

Great uses of wood

Great uses of wood

And metal

And metal

One of the wilder crucifixions I've seen

And then there was this powerful vignette

And then there was this powerful vignette

A simpler grave marked with cemetery good taste

Same

Typography prize for this one

Typography prize for this one

Or maybe Jozef Jastewicz is the typography winner

Or maybe Jozef Jastewicz is the typography winner

I can't fail to note the crafty wooden flowers decorating a number of graves

I can't fail to note the crafty wooden flowers decorating a number of graves

Including this one, which otherwise features a brilliant modernist sculpture for the monument to Jozef Fedorowicz, died 1963

A brilliant modernist sculpture for the monument to Jozef Fedorowicz, died 1963, with folky additions below

A brilliant modernist sculpture for the monument to Jozef Fedorowicz, died 1963, with folky additions below

A brilliant modernist sculpture for the monument to Jozef Fedorowicz, died 1963, with folky additions below

A brilliant modernist sculpture for the monument to Jozef Fedorowicz, died 1963, with folky additions below

A brilliant modernist sculpture for the monument to Jozef Fedorowicz, died 1963, with folky additions below

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