Description
Helena Modrzejewska (1840-1909) was a remarkable actress, a great legend of the Polish theatre
and a star of two continents. She was famous for
her beauty, talent and generosity. Not only was she
an extraordinary artist, but also an ardent patriot
and philanthropist.
Modrzejewska was born in Kraków gossip
had it that her father was Duke Eustachy
Sanguszko. She made her debut thanks to
the recommendation of actor Gustaw Zimajer,
who enabled her to make a debut appearance
in 1861 in Bochnia. He was soon to become
the father of her children (their daughter died
tragically in childhood, and their son Rudolf - also
known as Ralf Modjeski - became an acclaimed
American bridge constructor). After four years of
acting in provincial theatres, Modrzejewska ran
away from Zimajer, and from 1865 was
a successful actress in the Kraków theatre. In
1868-1876 she performed in Warsaw, where
she quickly rose to stardom. Together with her
husband, Count Karol Chłapowski, she moved to
America. As Helena Modjeska, she acted in many
American theatres, giving triumphant artistic
tours. However, she did not forget her home
country and travelled every year to give guest
performances - usually to Lvov and her native
Kraków, where she became engaged in raising
money for the construction of a new theatre
(currently the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre). Later on,
she performed on this stage on many occasions,
enthralling the audience with her famous roles,
e.g. the Shakespearean Lady Macbeth, Maria in
Warszawianka by Wyspiański, Maria Stuart by
Słowacki according to Schiller and The Lady of
the Camellias by Dumas. Modrzejewska gave
her last performances in Poland in Kraków in 1903.
She died at her mansion in California and was buried
at the Rakowicki Cemetery in Kraków.
Diana Poskuta-Włodek
Obverse
The obverse shows a fragment of the stage
curtain designed by Henryk Siemiradzki from
the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków, depicting
a group of Inspiration, Beauty and Truth, Tragedy
(in a black robe), Comedy (with an antique mask
in her hand), and Jester playing with puppets.
Reverse
The reverse of the coin features an image of
Helena Modrzejewska from a portrait by Frank Fowler
from 1884 on the left - the actress’s autograph, in
the bottom right corner - her colourful stage fan.
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