A representative
of the Polish school of illustration.
Zdzisław Witwicki (June 28, 1921 – October 11, 2019)
Born: Pruszków, Poland
Died: Warsaw, Poland
Profession: Illustrator, painter
One of the co-creators of the internationally recognized Polish School of Illustration.
Zdzisław Witwicki studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. After World War II, he worked as an art editor at the publishing house Nasza Księgarnia. Though he loved to draw from a young age and created illustrations for school readings, his initial dream was to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and become a railwayman. However, this plan changed when his aunt, Zofia Wąsowska, recognizing his talent, signed him up for the entrance exam to the Academy of Fine Arts — which he passed, drawing a portrait of a fisherman.
While still a student, and encouraged by a friend, he began working at a book publishing house. Though he had aspirations of creating grand paintings for museum exhibitions, he quickly became engaged in graphic editorial work, eventually turning to illustrated painting. Influenced by masters like Olga Siemaszko, he also admired the works of Jan Marcin Szancer and Antoni Srokowski.
Witwicki illustrated over 70 children’s books, including some of the most beloved characters in Polish literature such as Krasnal Hałabała and Wróbelek Elemelek — figures recognized by nearly every child in Poland. He also created illustrations and covers for children’s magazines such as Miś, Płomyczek, and Płomyk, as well as calendars, postcards, and album covers. He illustrated classic works by Polish authors like Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Słowacki, and Bolesław Leśmian.
Witwicki worked primarily in gouache and watercolor, but also explored collage, combining colorful pieces of paper or fabric with hand-drawn elements. Most of his work was created in quiet solitude at his studio on Wilcza Street in Warsaw, and he never showed his works before delivering them to the editorial office.
“I think I was very lucky in life to be able to work in the field of children’s book illustration. For several decades, I did what I loved most — painting pictures for the most sensitive audience in the world. Could there be anything greater for an artist?”
— Zdzisław Witwicki
His illustrations are known for their warm color palettes, gentle humor, and emotional clarity — always easily understood by children, his primary audience. His work exudes optimism, and he is remembered not only as a gifted illustrator but as a kind and cheerful individual whose art gave hope and joy.
“Zdzisio’s art is masterfully composed in terms of color, full of humor and warmth, and always understandable to a child. He is one of those rare people whose optimism makes the world seem better — and through his art, it truly is.”
— Prof. Janusz Stanny (1932–2014)
Witwicki’s works were presented in over 250 exhibitions in Poland and internationally, including in Bologna, London, Prague, Bratislava, and Budapest. His illustrations are part of permanent collections at the Zamość BWA – Zamoyski Gallery, the National Museum in Warsaw, and in private collections in Japan, Germany, and Italy.
1961 – Award for Muchomory (The Most Beautiful Books of the Year, PTWK)
1965 – Gold Medal, 8th São Paulo Art Biennial (with Nasza Księgarnia)
1978 – Award at the International Book Art Exhibition (IBA) in Leipzig
1983 – Prime Minister’s Award for lifetime achievement
2000 – Distinction at the Contemporary Polish Book Art Competition (Warsaw)
2001 – Medal of the Polish Section of IBBY for lifetime contribution to children’s literature
2010 – Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture
Zdzisław Witwicki is the patron of Preschool No. 31 in Warsaw, where his artworks are on permanent display.
(Selected examples from a much larger list)
Mały ratownik, Adam Bahdaj (1953)
O ciekawym wróbelku, Julia Duszyńska (1955)
O wróbelku Elemelku, Hanna Łochocka (1955, and expanded editions through 2019)
Z przygód krasnala Hałabały, Lucyna Krzemieniecka (1958)
Muchomory, Jan Sztaudynger (1961)
Od poranka do wieczora, Wanda Chotomska (1962)
Apolejka i jej osiołek, Maria Krüger (1963)
Baśnie narodów Związku Radzieckiego, Wanda Markowska (1977)
Zaklęty pierścień, Maria Kochanowska (1982)
Pan Twardowski i inne opowieści, Anna Świerszczyńska (1984)
Kukuryku, wiersze dla dzieci, Jan Sztaudynger (2004)
