Joseph Sulkowski

Artist Biography

Directly descended from Polish nobility, Joseph Sulkowski is deeply influenced by his heritage and his ancestors' participation in art prints, and posters. In eighteenth century Poland, Count Alexander Sulkowski commissioned one of the most ornately designed dinner services of the fabled Meissen china. The Polish magnates of Weilkopolska produced the first Joseph Sulkowski: scholar, warrior and aide-de-camp to Napoleon.

Joseph studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts for two years and then at the Art Student League in New York for five. There he met his greatest influence and mentor: Frank Mason, the foremost authority on the principles and techniques of the Old Masters. Sulkowski became, in the very traditional sense of the word, his apprentice: learning and absorbing the maestro's philosophy, instruction and craftsmanship used in his art, prints and posters.

Joseph believes a truly great artist makes a profound statement by the simplest means. As brevity is the soul of wit in language, simplicity is the essence of beauty in art, prints and posters. If the artist is too explicit, the viewer has no chance to use his imagination: Interpretation is participation and thus the fulfillment of art.

Joseph Sulkowski Art, Prints and Posters Collection