He was an extraordinary man, a lasting element woven into the history of the city since the post-war years. We no longer use the term “pioneer” today, yet that word most aptly conveys the measure of His achievements.
He was an entire historical era ahead of his time. He was always his own man: he independently ran a craftsman’s photography studio, independent in his views, opinions and actions, noble, ambitious, incredibly hardworking, and at the same time cheerful, kind to people, tactful, open and sensitive. He was not merely a professional photographer, but an artistic photographer, a recipient and creator of beauty, brimming with aesthetic sensitivity, a perfectionist in detail, madly in love with the beauty of the town on the Bóbr. Always youthful and active, wise, and respected within the craft community, he attained the dignity of Guild Elder, leading it thoughtfully and fairly during the most difficult time, when craftsmanship faced destruction. A community-minded man with his heart on his sleeve, he did not seek honours; he believed in the renaissance of democracy, justice, reliability and the ethos of work. In fact, he worked with passion, persistence and patience, without counting the passing time. He generously shared the fruits of his own labour with others: he freely donated thousands of photographs to the press and publishers, enriched Bolesławiec’s museums and archives with priceless documents of its monuments, tracked traces of the city’s former glory and its time of rebirth with a camera, and saved all the more important facts from the city’s post-war history from oblivion. Chronicler, historian, documentarian, excellent raconteur, living legend of the town on the Bóbr...
How many times, in his nobility and selflessness, did he take photographs free of charge for schools, scouts and acquaintances. He did not amass wealth, but he gained authority, respect and affection. He had no enemies; he quickly won people’s sympathy, acceptance and admiration. As the days and years pass, his work appears increasingly impressive: it takes many months to organise the photographic archives chronologically and thematically. He captured snapshots of life as it happened, which is why his legacy is exceptionally rich.
He loved life, valued truth, was passionate about the beauty of photography, and faithfully served the city also as a councillor and community activist. He made his way to Poland along the battle route from the West, brought fervent patriotism, created a Polish home on the western borders of the Republic of Poland and remained here. He was a great man through his diligence and achievements, beautiful and unique through his modesty, sensitivity and dependability.