Henri Proszynski

Henri Proszynski (1887-1968) was a prominent French statuary sculptor, known for his monumental works and war memorial realizations, especially in south-western France.

Life Family Henri's grandfather was Józef Prószynski, a Polish refugee, who married Clémence Victoire de Saint Germain. She died when giving birth to Ignace (or Ignacy), Henri's father.

Henri's mother was Aline Louise Carré (deceased before 1918). Aline's brother, Louis, was an industrial entrepreneur at Clichy, near Paris. born on 24 August 1837, in Carentan. Ignace has been attending the Ecole Polonaise de Paris for ten years (1846-1856) He graduated from the École nationale des ponts et chaussées as an engineer in 1861.

Ignace Proszynski was then employed by the Ministère de la Marine et des Colonies in many places: Lorient (1861 and 1868), the Réunion island (1863), Moissac (1870), Oloron (1871), Pau (1872). At the end of the 1890s, he settled in the south of France, near the Pyrenees mountains: he bought the 13th century castle of Crampagna, which he inhabited during his retirement. Henri's father managed several projects in this region: urban works in the city of Pau, following the plan of engineer Adolphe Alphand (1890-1891); expansion of the railway network in the departement of Ariege, in the vicinity of Foix.

Ignace was awarded the rank of Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Légion d'honneur on 10 August 1875.

According to archives sources, Aline and Ignace had also another son, George, a lawyer in Nogent-sur-Marne, who was Henri's witness at his wedding.

Following his father's consecutive relocations, Henri studied at the high school in Foix.

In the late 1900s, he moved to Paris, at 7 Belloni street (now Rue d'Arsonval). In the French capital, he studied under the direction of Jules Coutan.

Henri married Marie Poplasko in Paris, on 9 July 1918, while still being a conscript. Marie was born on 8 June 1883, in Russia, from Nicolas Poplasko and Emilie Koscinska.

Henri regularly lived in the castle of Crampagna that his father bought at the end of the 19th century. He also worked there from time to time. He died on 9 December 1968, in Nogent-sur-Marne.

Artistic career By and large, Proszynski earned his living by fulfilling official commissions, generally monumental ensembles (memorials, fountains).

From 1910 onwards, he regularly exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français.

In April 1912, Henri became a member of the Société des Artistes Francais .

At the eve of the First World War, his work was assessed as follows in the French magazine La Revue Moderne (25 January 1914):

Henri Proszynski exhibited at the Exposition du Grand Palais des Champs Elysees , in April 1928; he showcased two fountains in bronze, stone and marble.

Another mention of his skills were made in the magazine Art et décoration : revue mensuelle d'art moderne in January 1932:

In 1937, Henri became a member of the jury panel for the 1937 exhibition of the Société des Artistes Francais. the plaster project was awarded a silver medal at the 1921 Salon des artistes français in Paris. The ensemble has been registered on the National historical Heritage list in August 2007. registered on the National historical Heritage list in 2019. In Lézat-sur-Lèze (1927). In Foix (1948): bronze medal at the base of the World War II memorial and a stone statue of the Resistance (Femme debout).

Works in Neuvic Fontaine Printemps or Fontaine du Berger, stone sculpture (ca 1930), city public garden. Fontaine de la poule or Coq de bruyère effrayant 7 canetons , bronze, stone and earthenware (1932-1937), realized with his spouse Marie, city public garden (main frame) and city museum (black grouse and ducklings).

Other works Fontaine du chat qui pêche, marble and bronze (end 1920s). Magpie; Exposition internationale des arts et des techniques dans la vie moderne , Paris, 1937. 33rd exhibition of the Society of the Southern Artists , at the Musée des Augustins of Toulouse, from May to June 1941.

Awards He was awarded the rank of Knight in the order of the Legion of Honour (1934). Prix Palais Longchamp (1922). Gold medal at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industrielles modernes (1925). Gold medal of the Salon de la societe des Artistes Francais and Prix Colonial de la Tunisie (1934).

Proszynski works in the city of Neuvic have been registered on the French National Heritage list in September 2013.

Gallery