The Google search engine is currently showing Zofia Nasierowska’s Doodle to users across the UK, Ireland, South America and Poland. By swapping out the image above the search bar each day, the company celebrates a different individual, group, or holiday. As a tribute to Zofia – whose black-and-white portraits are most famous – a drawing of her appears in an illustration of a camera today. The Polish photographer, however, who was he? What is the significance of the company’s decision to pay tribute to the late artist on April 24th? What inspired today’s Google Doodle? Here’s what you need to know: who is Zofia Nasierowska?
Zofia Nasierowska who was she
Zofia Nasierowska was born on April 8, 1938, and she is considered to be one of the most important photographers of her time. On the outskirts of Warsaw in Poland, the artist grew up in the small town of Amonianki. As a child, Zofia was taught to use a camera by her father Eugeniusz Nasierowski, who was also a photographer. Zofia Turowska wrote about Nasierowska’s desire to follow in her father’s footsteps in her 2009 biography.
According to her, my father was so passionate about photography that he could teach a chair how to take pictures. My father would show me different tricks in the dark room instead of going to a puppet theatre. At the age of 11, Zofia exhibited for the first time. She then attended the Leon Schiller National Film School in Budapest. Roman Polanski, Andrzej Wajda and Zbigniew Rybczyski are among the university’s other famous alumni, along with Zofia.
Institutions
The institution also helped Zofia meet her husband, Janusz Majewski, a director and author who she later married. A source once reported Zofia saying: “I picked girls who, like me, did not feel beautiful.”. I was amazed by my first portraits: definitely beautiful! Their lack of self-awareness.
Why is Zofia famous?
Zofia was mostly known for her portraits, although she dabbled in landscape photography. She worked with actress Nina Andrycz when she was 20 years old. Ekran, a monthly TV and film magazine, featured Zofia’s photograph of Polish actress Lucyna Winnicka on its front cover in 1959, skyrocketing her career overnight. Zofia became well known in the Polish arts scene as a result of this success and photographed Roman Polanski.
Elegant Artist
The late Polish critic Melchior Wakowicz praised Zofia’s signature style: ‘She is known for her elegant, black and white portraits of Warsaw’s artists.’ In addition, Zofia’s ability to make her subjects feel at ease made the writer describe her as a ‘magician’.
Zofia photographed Barbara Brylska in the 1960s. The headshots show the star looking straight at the camera – a pose Zofia encouraged. Old Hollywood starlets inspired Zofia’s lighting. In addition to the Artiste FIAP award, Zofia has won several other awards over the course of her career. Zofia suffered from an eye condition in her later years that forced her to quit.
Her wife developed a passion for community work, so the former photographer became involved in the local community and was honoured by the local library.
Is Zofia married?
Until Zofia’s death in 2011, she was married to writer and director Janusz Majewski for 51 years. Pawel and Anna, the children of Zofia and Janusz, have remained out of the spotlight despite their parents’ high profile careers.
The 1999 series Siedlisko, about city dwellers considering a move to the countryside, was written by Zofia and her husband in her later years.
Is Zofia dead?
A long illness is reported to have caused Zofia’s death in 2011. Her family has not confirmed the cause of death. A Warsaw military cemetery is where she is buried.
Google Doodle Honours Zofia?
Google chose to honour Zofia with a Doodle this week, since today would have been her 85th birthday. Inspired by Zofia’s 1960’s brown bob and fringe in a photo from the era.
In explaining why Zofia was chosen, Google Doodle website reads: ‘She is known for her warm and welcoming personality in addition to her technical skills behind the lens. Through conversation and compliments, she put her models at ease and drew out the right mood.
Related: Oompa Loompa
