JÓZEF POKLEWSKI-KOZIEŁŁ (21 April 1937–21 May 2019)

Abstract

On 27 May 2019, we bid farewell to Józef Poklewski, a trusted Colleague and Friend, professor at the Nicolaus Copernicus University (UMK) in Toruń. Born in Kowalewo in the Vilnius Region, following WWII, orphaned by his father Władysław, he moved to Giżycko with his mother Emilia, with whom he felt a strong bond until the very last days. This was his individual feature: the long-lasting character of and reliability in relationships. Following the studies in history of art at the University of Poznań, he became assistant lecturer at UMK, with which he was bonded throughout all of his academic and scientific career. He remained strongly influenced by his teacher and mentor Gwidon Chmarzyński, professor at both universities. In his research Poklewski initially concentrated on Baroque art (doctoral dissertation on the Marian Jesuit Sanctuary at Święta Lipka), gradually more intensely focusing on the topic of the history of art and artistic life, as well as education in art, history of art, and conservation in Vilnius (post-doctoral dissertation) and in Toruń. An appreciated and dedicated lecturer, at UMK Józef Poklewski performed the function of the head of the Department of the History of Mediaeval and Modern Art, and of the Director of the Institute of Monument and Conservation Expertise; furthermore, he was the University’s Senate member. Actively participating in the scientific life, he was tutor of graduate theses, as well as of doctoral dissertations, reviewing also post-doctoral ones; moreover, he organized scientific conferences. Poklewski strongly committed himself to the activities of the Toruń Scientific Society and the Association of Art Historians (beginning from the Secretary, to the President of the Toruń Branch, member of the Main Board, finally becoming its Deputy President). Furthermore, he sat on Museum Boards: at the National Museum in Gdańsk, District Museum in Toruń, and the Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum in Bydgoszcz. Prof. Józef Poklewski died in Toruń, and was buried there, too.