Memories of Starobielsk

Józef Czapski, an artist interned with numerous Polish army officers and a few civilians in the Soviet prisoner-of-war camp at Starobielsk in September 1939, was among the fortunate few to survive the Katyn massacre in April 1940. In his writings, composed amidst the continuing war, Czapski brings to life the doomed individuals he encountered, detailing some with the precision of a finished portrait while capturing others through vivid sketches that balance intimacy with respect. His accounts reveal their intense efforts to remain engaged in humanistic activities despite the dire conditions. Complementing his memoir, Czapski's essays explore art, history, and literature, reflecting his enduring connection to Russian culture, which shaped his education. These works analyze the complex nature of figures such as the poet Aleksandr Blok, who was enthralled by the revolution, and the painter Chaim Soutine, who faced a solitary battle. Among these essays are a series of short writings on painting, penned during a train journey from Moscow to the Second Polish Army’s base in Central Asia, highlighting some of Czapski's most profound and poetic thoughts on art.