Helena Modrzejewska i Józef Kotarbiński. Związki artystyczne

Helena Modjeska (born in 1840 in Krakow), the greatest Polish actress of the second half of the 19th century, strongly influenced Polish theater life. The circle of her admirers included Józef Kotarbiński (born in 1849), a literary and theater critic, publicist, writer, and then an actor and manager as well. Kotarbiński often reviewed Modjeska’s acting. From the end of the 1870s to 1903, they appeared together in several plays. Kotarbiński always stayed in the shadow of his famous partner (for instance, his performance as Helmer in’ A Doll’s House by Ibsen was criticized as completely unprepared and contrasted with Modjeska’s highly celebrated role as Nora). In 1899, he became the director of the Krakow City Theater. He managed to organize manyguest performances of Modjeska in her home town. Artistic relationship between these two pivotal figures of the 19th century Polish theater life lasted over 30 years. There is no doubt that Kotarbiński contributed to creating Modjeska’s legend as a world-famous Polish actress.