Mela Muter Research Center

 

Research and publications

The Mela Muter Research Centre has been researching and developing Mela Muter's work since 2021 with the aim of preparing the first comprehensive monograph on the artist, as well as studies of her relationships with other artists.

 

The project premises publishing the following publications by her:

1. Mela Muter monograph – in Polish (publication date: 2024), French (2025) and English (2025).
2. An annotated study of the correspondence between Mela Muter and her loved one, French socialist activist, Raymond Lefebvre, from 1917 to 1920, illustrating the impact of their relationship on the artist's work. Made in collaboration with French historian Rachel Mazuy (publication date: 2025).
3. An annotated study of the correspondence of letters from Mela Muter to the French painter Josette Bournet and her family, from 1938 to 1965 (publication date: 2026).

 

The foregoing research and publications are the starting point for the preparation of a retrospective monographic exhibition of Mela Muter, as well as a catalogue of all the artist's works.

 

Cultural education

The year 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of Muter's solo exhibition at the Zachęta Gallery in Warsaw.  In reference to this event, the project Life with Passion will be commenced. A digital museum of the Polish painter Mela Muter and other educational activities will aim to bring the artist's life and work closer to a wide audience, particularly adults and young people. Mela Muter spent most of her life as a émigré in France. It was then that she developed her individual post-impressionist style, which brought her recognition from the art world of the time. She is regarded as one of the most important female artists of the École de Paris. Her attitude and work can become an excellent inspiration for living with passion at any age. Activities under the project will include: the design and construction of a digital museum of Mela Muter based on archival material and the artist's works; the publication of a book on her life and work; and a series of educational activities, including art workshops.

 

Conservation research

Our interests include research from the technological and technical side, as well as conservation work on works by Mela Muter. The first stage, technological research, so-called non-destructive research, will be carried out on 50-100 oil paintings on various bases (canvas, cardboard, plywood) by Mela Muter from various Polish collections, and consequently, the results of this work will be compiled and published. They will serve as a prelude to further projects in the field of researching the artist's work in other mediums and painting techniques.

 

→ More on the specially created project website – melamuter.com