Alfons Karny created portraits and busts of outstanding Polish and foreign personalities and was known for his impeccable choice of the material, predominantly made of bronze and granite. He studied, lived, and worked at the Warszawa Academy of Fine Arts. Still a student, he had his first exhibition in Paris at the Exposition International des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels. After graduation in 1930 Karny studied in France, Italy, Germany and Belgium on a scholarship. He joined the Forma and Blok groups of artists. In the 1930s became established as a well-known and popular artist. Before, during, and after the Warszawa Uprising many of his works were destroyed between 1939-44. The first, training (Pierwszy trening), is identical to Girl with skipping rope (Dziewczynkę ze skakanką). The sculpture was created around 1930 and was used as the prize for the Best Sportsman of the Year in the 1930s (probably until 1936). Karny made the figure in different sizes and materials. One copy was a decoration on the transatlantic liner “Batory”, while another one can be seen in a museum in his hometown Białystok. Since the 1970s, a larger version has been located in front of the University of Physical Education.
Poland