In the exhibition Hartwig’s Warsaw, Warsaw’s Hartwig, we present Edward Hartwig’s (1909–2003) photographs of Warsaw. Hartwig, often called the “father of Polish photography,” is renowned for his iconic willows and Polish landscapes. He also excelled in portraiture, especially theatrical photography. Although Warsaw is a minor theme in Hartwig’s work, the city where he lived for nearly six decades significantly inspired his art.

Hartwig first attempted to move to Warsaw before World War II, buying and renovating an apartment on Aleje Ujazdowskie. Unfortunately, it burned down during the Warsaw Uprising. After many wartime experiences, he finally moved to Warsaw in 1951, settling on Aleje Jerozolimskie. Before this, he documented the city’s reconstruction in photographs influenced by pictorialism and socialist realism, often depicting Warsaw’s historic sections.

The political and social changes of the mid-1950s, and modernism’s resurgence, brought visible formal changes to Hartwig’s work. He began exploring the contemporary city, capturing modernist architecture and neon-lit geometric forms. His photos from this era show Warsaw as a vibrant modern metropolis.

Hartwig described his method as a constant search for new approaches, always finding something intriguing. The 1990s marked a shift with the introduction of color to Warsaw’s streets and Hartwig’s photography. His color photos, like Warsaw’s architecture from that era, are still being rediscovered today.

The exhibition showcases Hartwig’s multifaceted interest in Warsaw and its ongoing transformation. The changes in urban space are reflected in his work, portraying various versions of Warsaw—from post-war rebuilding to postmodern colorfulness. Hartwig’s oeuvre offers a unique perspective in the ongoing debate about Warsaw’s past and future.