Zdzisław Beksiński

Zdzisław Beksiński
Beksiński in 2003
Born(1929-02-24)24 February 1929
Died21 February 2005(2005-02-21) (aged 75)
NationalityPolish
Known forPainting, sculpture, photography
AwardsOrder of Polonia Restituta
Signature

Zdzisław Beksiński (pronounced [ˈzd͡ʑiswaf bɛkˈɕiɲskʲi]; 24 February 1929  21 February 2005) was a Polish painter, photographer, and sculptor specializing in the field of dystopian surrealism.

Beksiński made his paintings and drawings in what he called either a Baroque or a Gothic manner. His creations were made mainly in two periods. The first period of work is generally considered to contain expressionistic colour, with a strong style of "utopian realism" and surreal architecture. The second period contained more abstract style, with the main features of formalism.

Beksiński was stabbed to death at his Warsaw apartment on February 21, 2005, by a 19-year-old acquaintance from Wołomin, reportedly because Beksiński refused to lend him money.