Edward Okun and The War and Us

'The War and Us' (1917-23) by Edward Okun; National Museum, Warsaw

Maybe I wouldn't have chosen Polish Symbolist painter Edward Okun, born on 27 September 1872, if I had more to choose from. But I really like today's painting. I tried to find more information on this painting and its symbolic meaning but I was unsuccesful. Even the information on Okun is limited (the English Wikipedia page doesn't really have content). He studied in Warsaw, Munich and Paris and lived in Rome for a long time. He had exhibitions in Poland, Paris, Berlin and Munich. I like this painting and its composition, the vibrant blue colour and rich decorations. I wish I knew what it meant and what the old woman is doing, lurking behind the couple.

Henryk Siemiradzki and Christ and The Samaritan Woman

'Christ and The Samaritan Woman' (1890) by Henryk Siemiradzki; Lviv National Art Gallery, Lviv, Ukraine

I had never heard of Polish painter Henryk Siemiradzki, born on 15 November 1843 and died on 23 August 1902. In fact, I don't know any Polish painters. He was a 19th century artist who is best remembered for his monumental paintings. His art teacher was a former student of Russian painter Karl Briullov. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg and went to Rome where he permanently settled. Many of his paintings are depictions of pastoral scenes from antiquity, or of biblical or historical scenes. His large-scale canvasses are to be seen in the major museums of Poland, Russia and Ukraine. Today's religious painting caught my eye because of the beautiful light.