Ryszard Dudzicki (b. 1930) (after)
[Historical Hot Air Balloons]
"Pilâtre de Rozier & Marquis d'Arlandes," 1783
"F. Godard," 1850
Signed G. Klipper lower left, c. 1980s
Oil paint on rosewood plaques
20 x 18 inches each, overall
Sold, please inquire as to the availability of similar items.
Pair of Historical Hot Air Balloon Paintings
Designs Based on Polish Postage Stamps, c. 1980s
Designs Based on Polish Postage Stamps, c. 1980s
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A pair of decorative painted wooden plaques showing major milestones in the history of hot air ballooning, each within a painted classical border. "Pilâtre de Rozier & Marquis d'Arlandes," 1783 shows the two balloonists in powdered wigs and red coats, each holding a red banner. The balloon is green and yellow with elegant rococo designs painted on it. "F. Godard," 1850 shows the balloonist in a black top hat with an assistant. They are carried aloft by a large green and yellow striped balloon with four smaller yellow balloons tethered to it. Both plaques are titled in gold calligraphy in the lower left corner. The illustrations and border designs also incorporate gold paint.
The paintings are signed G. Klipper and their designs -- though not the colors -- are based on a set of commemorative postage stamps showing milestones in ballooning history by world-renowned stamp designer Ryszard Dudzicki. Issued by the Polish postal service in 1981, the seven stamps celebrate the Gordon Bennett Cup, the world's oldest hot air balloon race. This international race was sponsored by and named for James Gordon Bennett, Jr., sportsman and owner of the New York Herald, and was held annually between 1906 and 1938 in Europe and the U.S., aside from a break during World War I. The 1939 race, scheduled to be held in Poland, was suspended when the country was invaded at the beginning of World War II. The race officially resumed in 1983 in Paris, France, and has continued ever since.
The Montgolfier brothers were the first to realize the human dream of flying, designing the first hot air balloon in 1783. After experimenting with animal passengers and a tethered human flight, their first passengers in an untethered flight were Pilâtre de Rosier, a physicist, and the Marquis D'Arlandes, who were launched from central Paris, and rode about 5.5 miles at an altitude of over 900 meters. This event caused a sensation. The Godards were a large family of French 19th century balloonists, who frequently performed balloon demonstrations as entertainments.
Ryszard Leon Dudzicki is a Polish painter, illustrator and graphic designer. He studied at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts from 1951 to 1957, receiving a degree in book design. He exhibited his artwork in numerous exhibitions from 1958 on, including the Polish Graphic Biennial in Cracow (1960-1964), a 1961 painting exhibition at the National Museum in Warsaw, and the National Exhibition of Paintings, Graphics and Sculpture by young artists in Sopot in 1963. In 1977 he joined the Ministry of Culture and the Arts as an expert in graphic design. He is probably best known outside of Poland as the designer of more than 200 postage stamps for Poland and other countries. As of 2009, he was living in Warsaw.
References:
"Early Balloon Flight in Europe." U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission. http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Lighter_than_air/Early_Balloon_Flight_in_Europe/LTA1.htm (17 April 2012).
"Gordon Bennett Cup (Ballooning)." Wikipedia. 18 March 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Bennett_Cup_(ballooning) (18 April 2012).
"Postage stamp: Balloon flown by Pilatre de Rozier and D'Arlandes, 1783." Joy Stamps. http://joystamps.com/en/stamp/1130 (18 April 2012).
"Postage stamp: F. Godard, 1850." Joy Stamps. http://joystamps.com/en/stamp_details.jsf?ssmc=954151954151 (18 April 2012).
"Ryszard Dudzicki." AgraArt. 20 January 2009. http://www.agraart.pl/nowe/artists/dudzicki-ryszard-polska-agra-art-aukcje-obrazy-antyki.html (18 April 2012).