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The Music

The Music is one of three sculptural allegories adorning Warsaw’s MDM district since 1952, alongside Fine Arts and Theatre. It is located on the building at Koszykowa 34/50. The design was selected in a competition and the work was created by Józef Gosławski, with help from his brother Stanisław and his wife Wanda because of the short deadline. The process began with a small competition model, followed by a composition close to life size. Difficulties with scaffolding, funding, and time led the artists to write to Warsaw’s chief architect, Józef Sigalin, describing the obstacles; this soon improved the conditions and allowed the work to be completed on time.

Music sculpture with three seated figures on a rooftop in Warsaw, including a central woman with outstretched hands and a woman holding a stringed instrument.
Music, an allegorical sculpture by Józef, Wanda and Stanisław Gosławski, shown with three seated figures atop a building in Warsaw.
February 2010 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Three-figure Music sculpture on a rooftop, with a seated woman in the center, a figure holding an animal on the left, and a musician on the right.
Music sculpture group atop a building in Warsaw, showing three figures silhouetted against the sky.
February 2010 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Stone sculpture of three figures representing Music, seen from below against a clear sky.
The Music sculpture by Józef, Wanda, and Stanisław Gosławski, mounted on a building in Warsaw.
February 2010 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleMuzyka (The Music)
Alternative namesThe Music Group; Muzyka; Grupa Muzyka
TypeSculpture; allegorical group
Part ofOne of three sculptural realizations decorating Warsaw's MDM, alongside Fine Arts and Theatre

Location and ownership

LocationOn the roof of the building at Koszykowa 34/50, Warsaw, Poland

Historical context

Date of creationFrom 1952
Selection methodChosen in an artistic competition

Creator

ArtistJózef Gosławski
Assisting artistsStanisław Gosławski and Wanda Gosławska

Physical characteristics

ScaleApproximately life-size

History and restoration

Initial modelA small competition model
Creation difficultiesLack of scaffolding, funding problems, and a short deadline
InterventionThe artists wrote to Warsaw chief architect Józef Sigalin, which improved conditions and allowed timely completion
Installation dateSince 1952
Depiction on postcardFeatured on a postcard issued in 1952
Postcard price1.30 zł
Postcard donation amount0.08 zł per postcard was allocated to the Social Fund for the Reconstruction of the Capital

Significance

Contemporary receptionIn Stolica in 1954, the MDM allegorical groups were assessed positively compared with sculptures then being created in Warsaw
CriticismOnly the dimensions imposed by the architects were criticized