In a remarkable feat by the National Museum in Lublin, a collection of 18 works by renowned Polish painter Tamara Lempicka has been successfully acquired from collections in Mexico. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Prof. Piotr Glinski, expressed his gratitude to all those involved in making this momentous occasion possible during a press conference titled “From Cuernavaca to Lublin Castle – New Acquisitions of the National Museum in Lublin.”
Starting from June 23rd, the National Museum in Lublin will proudly showcase these newly acquired pieces by Tamara Lempicka, which were procured from Mexican artist-sculptor Victor Manuel Contreras, thanks to the decisive action taken by Prof. Piotr Gliński, Minister of Culture and National Heritage.
Tamara Lempicka’s Remarkable Exhibition Success and Acclaimed Acquisition of 18 Works for Polish Collections
Recalling last year’s three exhibitions of Tamara Lempicka’s works in Poland at the National Museum in Lublin, the National Museum in Krakow, and Villa La Fleur in Konstancin near Warsaw, Minister Gliński highlighted the overwhelming success of the largest retrospective exhibition held in Lublin, attracting an impressive 86,000 visitors.
Tamara Lempicka, regarded as the most expensive Polish artist, fetched a remarkable PLN 82 million at an auction in 2020. Prior to this acquisition, only two of her paintings resided in public collections in Poland. The recent purchase of 18 works from the collection of sculptor Victor Manuel Contreras, with whom Tamara Lempicka spent her final years, was carried out in consultation with the artist’s heirs. Professor Piotr Glinski emphasized that the ownership rights to these precious works have been officially confirmed and now belong to the Polish state.
Collaborative Endeavor Secures Tamara Łempicka’s Collection, a Landmark Achievement for Polish Culture
The Minister expressed his sincere gratitude to all those who played a part in securing Tamara Łempicka’s collection, including the director and team of the National Museum in Lublin, the Department of Cultural Heritage Abroad at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, and the Polish Embassy in Mexico. This collaborative effort stands as a testament to the remarkable achievements that can be accomplished for the benefit of Polish culture.
Deputy Prime Minister Gliński revealed that the acquisition was made possible through the utilization of the reserve funds of Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, with the involvement of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
The acquisition of Tamara Lempicka’s works from Mexico marks a significant milestone for the National Museum in Lublin and Polish culture as a whole. These highly esteemed and previously elusive pieces have found a rightful home, thanks to the dedication and collaboration of various stakeholders. The Minister of Culture commended the National Museum in Lublin for its exceptional efforts and the outstanding exhibition dedicated to Tamara Lempicka held last year.