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The Partisans

The Partisans is an outdoor sculpture created by Andrzej Pityński and unveiled in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1983. Dedicated to Polish anti-communist partisans, it was originally meant to stand for six months at Beacon and Charles on Boston Common, but remained there for 23 years. The monument was inspired by the artist’s memories of meeting anti-communist partisans in December 1959. It was financed by the Sculpture Foundation and cast in aluminum at Johnson Atelier in Princeton. In 2006, it was moved to a new location near World Trade Center Station on the MBTA Silver Line. Pityński later created another sculpture called Partisans in Hamilton.

The Partisans sculpture shows several gaunt figures riding skeletal horses and holding tall poles in a grassy urban park.
The Partisans by Andrzej Pityński in a city park, with skeletal horse figures set against buildings and trees.
September 1998 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Partisans sculpture in Boston, shown at night with figures on horseback, a memorial plaque, and a floral wreath at the base.
The Partisans sculpture in Boston lit at night, with a memorial plaque and wreath at its base.
November 2020 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Partisans equestrian monument at night with riders holding tall staffs, an informational plaque, and a floral wreath in front of city buildings and bare trees.
The Partisans monument is shown at night with its equestrian figures, plaque, and floral wreath in the foreground.
November 2020 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleThe Partisans
Alternative titlePartyzanci – I
TypeOutdoor sculpture
Original Polish namePartyzanci

Historical context

Date created1979–1983
Year unveiled1983
StyleModern

Creator

DedicationSpecifically to his relative Michał Krupa, commanders Franciszek Przysiężniak and Józef Zadzierski, their subordinates in the National Military Organization and the National Military Union, and all other anti-communist partisans; in a wider sense, to all freedom fighters around the world
Artist's description of the workFive armed riders in marching formation, tattered, mortally tired, bleeding from endless battles and escapes, riding horses and immersed in thoughts about the tragedy of their nation
InspirationMemories of a December 1959 meeting with anti-communist partisans, when he visited them as a 12-year-old boy with his father Aleksander and brought them supplies
Artist descriptionSculptor who lived and worked in the United States
Artist nationalityPolish-American
ArtistAndrzej Pityński

Discovery and provenance

Relocation decision date18 January 2006
Permanent locationCenter median of D Street at its intersection with Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Permanent relocation date17 November 2018
Moved to temporary new locationJuly 2006
Stored after removalIn a warehouse
Removed from Boston CommonJanuary 2006
Relocation ordered byBoston Mayor Thomas M. Menino
Temporary new location in 2006South Boston waterfront near the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art and the MBTA's World Trade Center Station on the Silver Line
Time at original location23 years
Original display locationBoston Common, at the corner of Beacon Street and Charles Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Original planned display durationSix months
Material used for castingAluminum
Foundry / casting siteJohnson Atelier (Technical Institute of Sculpture) in Princeton
Designed forJohnson Atelier – The Technical Institute of Sculpture
Funding sourceSculpture Foundation
Displayed in Boston since1983

Physical characteristics

Number of horses5
Pose and appearanceThe horsemen ride with bowed heads, carrying spears on their backs, and are shown as tired and exhausted
Dimensions7 m high, 10 m long, 4 m wide
Number of figures5
Figures depictedFive mounted armed horsemen
Sculpture typeSculptural group

Materials

MaterialAluminum

Iconography and meaning

Intended themesCrucifixion and sacrifice
ClarificationNot World War II-era anti-Nazi Polish partisans
Dedication themeA monument to all fighters for freedom in the whole world
Depicted subjectPolish anti-communist partisans, the "Cursed Soldiers"
Symbolic meaningA symbolic representation of the Cursed Soldiers
Specific identification of depicted figuresAleksander Pityński ("Kula") - the artist's father; Adam Kusz ("Garbaty") - second commander of the unit; Stanisław Pelczar ("Majka"); Michał Krupa ("Pułkownik") - the artist's uncle; Józef Zadzierski ("Wołyniak") - first commander
Historical referenceAnti-communist Polish partisans who fought against the Polish communist regime after the communist takeover of Poland after World War II

Location and ownership

Exhibited inBoston, Massachusetts, United States
Later status in BostonBecame a permanent monument

History and restoration

ReceptionMet with controversy
Threats received by sculptorPityński received threats from sympathizers of the communist People's Republic of Poland
Reason for removal from Boston CommonCity officials said the statue lacked a proper pedestal
Public reaction to removalTriggered protests from the Polish-American community and the sculptor himself
RededicationThe statue was rededicated in the presence of the area's Polish American community and local officials, endorsed by Pityński and the Polish Consulate in Boston

Significance

Claimed historical significanceDescribed as the world's first monument to the Cursed Soldiers