Mężczyzna z fajką na tle podwórza (1936)

Aleksander (Sasza) Blonder, a Polish painter with Jewish roots, was recognized for his impact on early 20th-century art. The course of his life and the experiences he encountered played a significant role in shaping his artistic growth, especially as he adapted to the shifting landscape of European society during a period of great upheaval.

In 1926, Blonder visited Paris for the first time—an era when the city was a vibrant hub for artists, intellectuals, and avant-garde circles. Immersion in the lively Parisian art community clearly helped mold his artistic perspective, enabling him to interact with the latest movements and emerging ideas.

From 1930 to 1932, Blonder studied architecture at the renowned École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in Paris. His time at this institution gave him a thorough grounding in structure and form, elements that would later be reflected in his work as a painter.

Blonder continued his academic journey from 1932 to 1936 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, where he studied painting with respected artists, including Teodor Axentowicz, Władysław Jarocki, and Fryderyk Pautsch. These years proved pivotal for his artistic progress, offering him the opportunity to acquire new techniques and styles from established figures in the art world.