Jozef Wilkon (1930-present, Polish)

Jozef Wilkon (1930-present, Polish) is a prolific illustrator, painter and animal sculptor. He is known as one of the greatest Polish illustrators of both adult and children’s books, having illustrated more than 200 books in more than 20 languages. Wilkon studied at the Art Academy in Krakow and graduated in 1954 with a master’s degree. Afterwards, he spent a year in Paris. In 1956, Wilkon moved from Krakow to Warsaw and pursued a career primarily in illustration.

His realistic animals are created with clear brush strokes usually done in ink, watercolors and dry pastels. The influence of Marc Chagall is clearly evident. Wilkon says, “My ambition was to capture the movement and the character of the animal with one stroke of a large brush.” His animals are used as metaphors, but Wilkon insists that he does not use animals to represent human characteristics. Wilkon frequently uses wild and domestic cats as subjects of his works. In the Trampled Cat (1992) they are used to tell the story of the French Revolution.

Throughout Jozef Wilkon’s long career he has won numerous awards and has held more than 60 exhibitions of his works. His art is held by many public and private collections throughout the world.

Balancing Cat

Black and White Cat

Black Cat Family

Black Cat

Cat and Bee

Cat and Dragonfly

Cat Family

Cat with Birds

Cats

Fraidy Cat

Green Eyed Cat

Kot-cat

Cat Playing with String

Cats Playing

Dog and Cat

Kotek

Sleeping Cat

Kici kici miau

Kitten

Kotek

Orange Cat and Mice

Sitting Black Cat

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