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ID: POL-001279-P

'Diary of a Century' mural at the Southbank Centre in London

ID: POL-001279-P

'Diary of a Century' mural at the Southbank Centre in London

Variants of the name:
Mural „Pamiętnik stulecia” [Memoir of the Century] w Southbank Centre w Londynie

The 'Memoir of a Century' mural by Felix Topolski was created between 1975 and 1988 (until the artist's death). Commissioned by Prince Philip in 1958 for Buckingham Palace, the project originally commemorated the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953. In 1975, Topolski expanded the scope of the work to capture a broader picture of British life, but the work remained unfinished until the artist's death in 1989. The mural is located under the arcade of London Bridge (exact address: 158 Hungerford Bridge). The painting installation is approximately 210 m long and up to 6 m high. In the artist's own words, it is not history in a nutshell' but 'an authorial vision' meandering between past and present through real representations and abstraction'.

Feliks Topolski was born and raised in Poland, but much of his artistic career was linked to the UK, where he moved in 1935.His talent was quickly recognised and Topolski began working for British magazines, including The Chronicle of the Century, which allowed him to document important historical and cultural events of the time.

His work often focused on social, political and cultural life, both in Britain and around the world. Topolski was particularly known for his drawings and illustrations, which were characterised by dynamic brushstrokes and a vibrant colour palette. His style was unique and easily recognisable, making him one of the more influential artists of his era.

During the Second World War, Topolski became an official war artist for Britain, which gave him the opportunity to document the war effort and its impact on people. After the war, he continued his work documenting important events, including the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and many other moments that were pivotal to 20th century history.

Topolski was also involved in theatre and set design, designing sets and costumes for various theatrical productions. His versatility and ability to work in different media made him highly regarded in many artistic circles.

The artist was active for most of his life and his work was exhibited in many galleries and museums around the world. Feliks Topolski died on 24 August 1989 in London, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy that is still treasured by many art lovers.

Related persons:
Time of origin:
1975-1988
Creator:
Feliks Topolski (malarz, grafik; Polska, Wielka Brytania)(preview)
Keywords:
Publikacja:
22.07.2024
Ostatnia aktualizacja:
23.09.2024
Author:
Bartłomiej Gutowski
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