Maria Bal

Jadwiga Maria Kinga Bal (Balowa) of Zaleszczyki, née Brunicka (26 July 1879 – 1 January 1955) was a Polish baroness and a lifelong muse of Jacek Malczewski, considered Poland's national painter. She served as the live model for a series of his symbolic portrayals of women, as well as nude studies and mythological beings. Most were completed before the interwar period when Poland had not yet achieved independence.

Early life and education Jadwiga Maria Brunicka (called Maria) was born during the foreign Partitions of Poland to baron Seweryn Brunicki, a Polish land-owner, and his wife Jadwiga Maria Kryspina Zagórska, (see the Ostoja coat of arms) at their country estate in Zaleszczyki (now Zalischyky, western Ukraine). A descendant of a Jewish family from Bavaria, her father carried the title of baron received in 1813.

Maria was noted as being exceptionally beautiful by her family. They called her Kinga from the time she was a girl. As was typical of wealthy families, she was educated at home by a tutor. They remained friends after she broke up with him, and frequently corresponded during her foreign travels. Malczewski was among the prominent guests at her wedding. These works included his numerous self-portraits with muses. Malczewski was a married man. He had a son, Rafał born in 1892, who also became a painter later on.

Maria Bal was a star of the local literary society in Kraków. She was also a regular at the gatherings of artists held at the Kraków mansion of Olga Chwistkowa. After breaking up with Malczewski, Maria remained friends with him. They frequently corresponded before her second marriage. She died on 3 January 1955 in Kraków at the age of 75.

Selected depictions of Maria by Malczewski

Notes and references