Early Life and Education
Adam Bunsch was born in 1896 in Krakow. His father Alojzy was a professor of sculpture and his mother was the daughter of a famous Polish architect. He studied at the Krakow School of Fine Arts under Jozef Mehoffer, with a spell in Vienna during World War I, simultaneously pursuing a philosophy degree at the Jagiellonian University.
World War I intervened and he joined the Austrian Army and then the ranks of the newly formed Polish Army defending the city of Lwow. He was able to resume his studies and by 1921 he took up his first appointment at the School of Industrial Art in Bielsko-Biala.
Career in Poland
He exhibited, won prizes and became a powerful force in Krakow intellectual life, publishing articles and plays. He authored 30 plays, of which 6 have been published. He designed costumes and scenery for theater productions.
Watercolors, pastels, oil and pencil drawings were his tools. Above all, he was an accomplished printmaker drawing inspiration from Japanese woodcuts.
World War II
An already established, well known and respected artist and playwright in pre-World War II Poland, Bunsch fought in defense of Poland in September 1939, crossing the border with his unit into Hungary. Following a short period of internment, he reached and joined the ranks of the Polish Army on French soil in spring of 1940.
He left behind his beloved wife Ludwika and his four children – Alojzy, Franciszek, Helena and Adam – in Nazi-occupied Krakow.
France fell by June of 1940 and Bunsch again made his escape, this time to Britain. Stationed in Forfar as part of the 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade under the command of General Maczek, he specialized in portraiture, his pictures being often used by the Polish Army as presentation pieces. He sketched incessantly.
His drawings were presented to Queen Elizabeth, the future Queen Mother, and today are to be found in the Royal Collection at Windsor.
Post-War Life
His life in Poland is well documented thereafter. 44 churches in Poland are adorned to this day by his stained glass windows. The Polish Museum in Warsaw has acquired many of his wartime works. The Polish Museum of America in Chicago owns his works from the New York World's Fair of 1939.
He exhibited around the world and lived surrounded by his beloved family until his death in 1969.
Text compiled by Monika A.M. Skowronska – Vice Chairman of The Polish Social and Cultural Association Ltd