Bruno Schulz i cyrk. Obrazy, metafory (auto)identyfikacje

Abstract

The article is an attempt at analyzing the circus motifs in the work of Bruno Schulz. The first part is about circus activities during the life of Schulz, that he could see or hear about. His biographical experiences and also the influences of other artists made that he alluded to the circus in his work. He recalls in his novels famous characters associated with circus such as Bosco the magician, famous director of the American circus of curiosities, Barnum. He alludes to the events that actually took place – the arrival of the Panopticon in Drohobycz in 1913. In his stories and letters he uses circus metaphors. In prose, graphics and drawings there are figures of circus performers, clowns, freaks. He identified himself with Pierrot in his self-portraits. Not only Schulz perceived himself in this role –apparently Witkacy was supposed to paint a portrait of him in a Pierrot costume.