Polish School of Posters | A Masked Ball | Walkulski

Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901) was an Italian composer best known for his operas. Verdi came to dominate the Italian opera scene after the era of Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti, whose works significantly influenced him. His operas remain extremely popular, especially the three peaks of his ‘middle period’: Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, and La Traviata. The bicentenary of his birth in 2013 was widely celebrated in broadcasts and performances. Verdi’s operas are frequently staged around the world.  All of his operas are available in recordings in a number of versions. The poster artist here Wiesław Wałkuski was born in Poland in 1956, and started his graphic design education at the Warsaw Academy of Art which he attended from 1976 to 1981. He studied under several design lecturers including Maciej Urbaniec and Teresa Pagowska. At the end of his studies he was employed by Polfilm and Film Polski to produce artwork and cover designs. During this period he also worked with visual studio publishers and numerous theater groups producing artworks. In 1987 he commenced his career as a freelance graphic designer. Today, Wiesław Wałkuski has more than 200 posters to his name and he continues his work as a poster designer, illustrator and painter. He still lives and works in Warsaw. His works are presented at major Polish and international poster exhibitions including some at The Weidman Gallery in West Hollywood, USA.