Sophie Brzeska
Encyclopedia
Sophie Brzeska was a Polish writer and artistic muse most noted for being the companion sculptor/artist Henri Gaudier-Brzeska
. Twice Henri's age they met in 1909 at the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève
in Paris, and began an intense symbiotic relationship. Henri annexed her surname although they never married. Much of what scholars and historians have been able to trace about Sophie Brzeka has come from her personal correspondence with Henri. Long an admirer of Gaudier's work, the art collector and historian, Jim Ede
aka H.S.Ede acquired her estate in 1927 from the British Treasury Solicitor. This acquisition included not only her writings, but also the estate of Henri Gaudier, with many of his works and papers. Ede drew extensively on the letters written by Gaudier to Sophie and her writings and other material when he published "A Life of Gaudier-Brzeska" in 1930. The papers he used for this account are now in the archives of Cambridge University, Essex University and the Musée d’Orléans. Time Magazine called his book a "sympathetic but perfectly impersonal... biography." In 2008 Sophie's writings, were finally published unexpurgated.
, Poland
in 1873 to a family of eleven. She described her mother as "weary" and her father as "womanising", both of whom both believed she was a "burden needing to be married off." She resisted and fled Poland for Paris to become a writer. She accepted a succession of jobs as governess, one of which involved her living in the United States for several years. These ventures with other people's families left her contemplating suicide. In June 1910 Henri met Sophie, describing her in a letter to a friend as, "a Polish ex-governess twice his age."
, Robert Bevan
and others behaved towards her. Also included are later postcards and letters to the artist Nina Hamnet.
Sophie Brzeska wrote in both French and English and it is clear from the language and tempo of the writings that she was highly strung and emotional. When writing in English her spelling becomes progressively more chaotic as did her handwriting in both languages. The intention has been to keep these elements evident in the translation and transcription in order to be true to her character and escalating emotional intensity, and to hear her unique voice. Her ignoring of conventional punctuation has been retained for the same reason.
, Ken Russell
's 1972 film focuses on Sophie and Henri Gaudier's relationship giving them both an equal amount of importance in shaping each other's lives.
Henri Gaudier-Brzeska
Henri Gaudier-Brzeska was a French sculptor who developed a rough hewn, primitive style of direct carving....
. Twice Henri's age they met in 1909 at the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève
Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève
The Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève inherited the writings and collections of one of the largest and oldest abbeys in Paris. Founded in the sixth century by Clovis I and subject to the rule of St. Benedict Abbey, initially devoted to the apostles Peter and Paul, in 512 received the body of the St...
in Paris, and began an intense symbiotic relationship. Henri annexed her surname although they never married. Much of what scholars and historians have been able to trace about Sophie Brzeka has come from her personal correspondence with Henri. Long an admirer of Gaudier's work, the art collector and historian, Jim Ede
Jim Ede
Harold Stanley Ede also known as Jim' Ede, was an English collector of art and friend to artists.Ede studied painting at Newlyn Art School between 1912 and 1914 when he was called up in World War I...
aka H.S.Ede acquired her estate in 1927 from the British Treasury Solicitor. This acquisition included not only her writings, but also the estate of Henri Gaudier, with many of his works and papers. Ede drew extensively on the letters written by Gaudier to Sophie and her writings and other material when he published "A Life of Gaudier-Brzeska" in 1930. The papers he used for this account are now in the archives of Cambridge University, Essex University and the Musée d’Orléans. Time Magazine called his book a "sympathetic but perfectly impersonal... biography." In 2008 Sophie's writings, were finally published unexpurgated.
Early years
Sophie Brzeska was born near KrakówKraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
in 1873 to a family of eleven. She described her mother as "weary" and her father as "womanising", both of whom both believed she was a "burden needing to be married off." She resisted and fled Poland for Paris to become a writer. She accepted a succession of jobs as governess, one of which involved her living in the United States for several years. These ventures with other people's families left her contemplating suicide. In June 1910 Henri met Sophie, describing her in a letter to a friend as, "a Polish ex-governess twice his age."
Life with Henri Gaudier-Brezska
Sophia was a companion and her relationship with Gaudier resembled a co-dependency, since both suffered from mental health issues and stress brought on by poverty. Henri was devoted to Sophie, even taking her last name as his, but Sophie was often dismissive and cold towards Henri's romantic overtures (according to Ede they either never had sex, only once or twice or rarely). They were often apart and Sophie would buy Henri prostitutes for his enjoyment instead of having sexual relations with him.Writings
Sophie Brzeska referred constantly to her "work" and aspirations to be a published writer. She wrote a number of versions of her Autobiography entitled "Matka" but nothing in her own words has previously been published. This book ‘Matka and other writings’ is from manuscript sheets which have lain forgotten and unpublished for over fifty years. One part of this group of papers is a version of ‘Matka’ and it includes her first meeting and her life with Henri Gaudier, and their adoption of the name Gaudier-Brzeska. It contains her account of what happened to her immediately after Henri Gaudier-Brzeska was killed at the Front in France in 1915 and graphically recounts her efforts and trials to arrange a Memorial exhibition of his work, and gives a frank view of how she felt his friends, T.E.Hulme, Ezra PoundEzra Pound
Ezra Weston Loomis Pound was an American expatriate poet and critic and a major figure in the early modernist movement in poetry...
, Robert Bevan
Robert Bevan
Robert Polhill Bevan was an English painter, draughtsman and lithographer. He was a founding member of the Camden Town Group, the London Group, and the Cumberland Market Group.-Early life:...
and others behaved towards her. Also included are later postcards and letters to the artist Nina Hamnet.
Sophie Brzeska wrote in both French and English and it is clear from the language and tempo of the writings that she was highly strung and emotional. When writing in English her spelling becomes progressively more chaotic as did her handwriting in both languages. The intention has been to keep these elements evident in the translation and transcription in order to be true to her character and escalating emotional intensity, and to hear her unique voice. Her ignoring of conventional punctuation has been retained for the same reason.
Death
Sophie died intestate in the Gloucestershire Mental hospital at Barnwood in March 1925. She is often left out of accounts of Gaudier's life. Savage MessiahSavage Messiah
Savage Messiah is a 1972 British biographical film of the life of French sculptor Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, made by Russ-Arts and distributed by MGM. It was directed and produced by Ken Russell with Harry Benn as associate producer, from a screenplay by Christopher Logue, based on the book Savage...
, Ken Russell
Ken Russell
Henry Kenneth Alfred "Ken" Russell was an English film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. He attracted criticism as being obsessed with sexuality and the church...
's 1972 film focuses on Sophie and Henri Gaudier's relationship giving them both an equal amount of importance in shaping each other's lives.
Sources
- Pound, Ezra, Gaudier-Brzeska: A Memoir (London: John Lane, 1916; rpt. New York: New Directions, 1970 ISBN 0-8112-0527-4)—memoir of Pound's time with Gaudier-Brzeska, including letters and photos of sculpture
- "We the Moderns": Gaudier-Brzeska and the Birth of Modern Sculpture (Cambridge: Kettle's Yard, 2007 ISBN 1-904561-22-5)—catalogue of an exhibition of the same name
External links
- Tate Collection
- Tate: TateShots: Gaudier-Brzeska's Sketchbook. 2011.
- Background to the film Savage Messiah
- Article on Henri Gaudier-Brzeska and Ken Russell's film