Polish Women Artists in Olympic Art Competitions 1928–1948

Abstract

For the first time Polish women artists took part in the 1928 Olympic Art Competitions in Amsterdam. In subsequent competitions in 1932, 1936 and 1948 they also participated in the departments of painting and graphics, sculpture and music. Two of our women artists participated in the sculpture competitions, one in the music department and 15 in the painting and graphics department. In 1928–1948, 18 Polish women artists participated in the Olympic Art Competitions at the four Summer Olympics, earning one silver medal (Janina Konarska – graphic artist) and one honorary award (Grażyna Bacewicz – music). Our women artists, like the sport women, should be given the Olympian title, because in 1912–1948 in the official program Olympic Games were the art competitions and their laureates were awarded the same medals as the athletes.