Who painted Women fleeing from the fire?

Women fleeing from the fire was painted by Antoni Murzynowski.

Where can I see Women fleeing from the fire?

Women fleeing from the fire is held by National Museum in Warsaw.

Artwork

Women fleeing from the fire

Women fleeing from the fire is an oil painting by Antoni Murzynowski. It is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

Overview

Antoni Murzynowski’s oil on canvas, titled Women Fleeing from the Fire, is part of the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw. The work presents a nocturnal scene in which two women, one clutching an infant, are captured in the act of escaping a blaze. The composition is dominated by deep shadows, punctuated by the bright garments of the figures, creating a stark visual contrast.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a moment of urgent departure: a barefoot woman in a white dress and yellow headscarf leads the way, while a second woman, wrapped in a white shirt and red headscarf, carries a baby swaddled in striped fabric. Their strained expressions and hurried posture convey fear and desperation, suggesting a narrative of loss, survival, and the human response to sudden disaster.

Technique & Style

The rendering of fabric and skin demonstrates a careful handling of texture within the dramatic lighting.

Murzynowski employs a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, allowing the illuminated forms of the women to emerge from a dark, almost indeterminate background of brown and black tones. The limited palette emphasizes the contrast between light and shadow, while the loose brushwork in the surrounding gloom enhances the sense of movement and immediacy. The rendering of fabric and skin demonstrates a careful handling of texture within the dramatic lighting.

History & Provenance

Created in the early twentieth century, Women Fleeing from the Fire entered the holdings of Warsaw’s National Museum, where it remains on display. The work’s acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving Polish visual culture and to showcasing Murzynowski’s contributions to the nation’s artistic heritage.