Student Artwork Guide — Personal Shelf

Name Class Date

Jacek Yerka, Personal Shelf. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist: Jacek Yerka originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/jacek-yerka/
Artist’s dates: 1952 –
Movement: Surrealism Dream logic painted with waking precision: impossible things shown as if they were ordinary.

Copyright This work is treated as still under copyright. Jacek Yerka was born in 1952 and has no recorded death date; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Personal Shelf — Jacek Yerka

When might this have been painted?

first works
late works

1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020

07
817
1827
2837
3847
4857
5867
6877

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span, counting 0 from birth.

every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1996 Main working years: 1996–2007 Late works: from 2007

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Epitaph - Jacek Yerka, 2026 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/wallart-studio-hand-painted-art-available-now-epitaph-jacek-yerka-en/
Wegener's theory, 2001 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/jacek-yerka-wegener-s-theory-8XYA7R-en/
Back to Home originaluniqueart.com/en/art/jacek-yerka-back-to-home-8XYAA2-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/jacek-yerka-personal-shelf-8XYADA-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Phthalo Green #1b220f

Catalogued palette

#1B220F
#C5CAC9
#555A2D
#98914C

These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

Main colour name: Phthalo Green
Intensity: Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Where in the world is this painting looked at?

under 1%
1–3%
3–8%
8–20%
20% and over

This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Jacek Yerka over the last twelve months — 22 countries in all. Where these figures come from

The ten leading countries

1 China 30.5%
2 United States of America 17.9%
3 United Kingdom 11.3%
4 Austria 8.6%
5 Ethiopia 8.6%
6 Poland 6.0%
7 Latvia 4.0%
8 Canada 2.0%
9 France 2.0%
10 Argentina 1.3%
· 12 other countries 7.8%

Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

The 20 most looked-at works by Jacek Yerka

1 Shelves of Books (also known as Bibliotama) 10.1%
2 Spring Labyrinth, 2004 8.2%
3 The Angels' Kitchen, 2005 5.1%
4 Back from Safari 4.4%
5 Back to Home 3.8%
6 Loading cities 2.5%
7 The Garden 1.9%
8 Strawberry garden 1.9%
9 Fences, 2014 1.9%
10 Alarm Clock Wandering Seller 1.9%
11 Learning Walk 1.3%
12 Bathyscaphe 1.3%
13 Personal Shelf this painting 1.3%
14 Summer 1.3%
15 Philip's site 1.3%
16 Enhabited oak 1.3%
17 Subconscious tower 1.3%
18 Boudoir 1.3%
19 Habitat 1.3%
20 The Cider Recipe 1.3%

Together these works take 54.7% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 311 works by this artist, of which 88 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 13 of them, with 1.3% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

Personal Shelf — Jacek Yerka

In this piece, Peter the Great stands at the shore of the Baltic Sea, meditating on the idea of building St. Petersburg on its shores. The wind blows strongly in face, yet he stands firm, holding steady against the wind. This is perhaps illustrative of his strength of conviction, and evidence of his greatness as a ruler. The waves threaten to crash upon his feet, but his stance is strong and unwavering. His observers look like the wind will knock them over at any moment, perhaps not because they can’t hold themselves up, but because their convictions are not a strong as Peter’s.

Artist

Jacek Yerka

Born in Toruń, Poland

Jacek Yerka: A Surrealist Visionary

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Born in 1952 in Toruń, Poland, Jacek Yerka emerged from a deeply artistic family. Both his parents were graduates of the local Fine Art Academy, immersing him in a world of paints, inks, and brushes from an early age. This formative environment profoundly shaped his future career path. As a child, Yerka preferred solitary creative pursuits – drawing and sculpting – over outdoor play, leading to social challenges during primary school which he described as a “grey, sometimes horrifying reality.” However, his talent for sketching earned him respect in high school.

Artistic Journey and Development

Initially considering careers in astronomy or medicine, Yerka ultimately chose to pursue fine art and graphic design. During his studies at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, he resisted pressure to adopt contemporary styles, steadfastly adhering to the classic Flemish technique that defines his work. This dedication to meticulous detail and traditional methods became a hallmark of his artistic identity.

Influences and Inspirations

Yerka’s artistic vision is deeply rooted in the works of masters past. He cites Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Bruegel, Cagliostro, Jan van Eyck, and Hugo van der Goes as key influences. These artists instilled in him a fascination with intricate detail, symbolic imagery, and fantastical narratives. Beyond art history, Yerka draws inspiration from scientific concepts and his own childhood memories.

Key Characteristics of His Work

Surrealism: Yerka’s paintings are firmly rooted in the surrealist tradition, blending reality with dreamlike imagery.

Flemish Technique: He employs a meticulous and detailed painting style reminiscent of the Flemish masters.

Intricate Detail: His works are characterized by an astonishing level of detail, inviting viewers to explore hidden narratives within each composition.

Fantastical Worlds: Yerka creates imaginative landscapes populated with bizarre creatures and extraordinary architecture.

Scientific & Mythological Themes: He often merges scientific concepts with artistic expression and mythological references.

Notable Works and Achievements

Yerka’s portfolio includes numerous acclaimed works, such as “The Angels' Kitchen” and “Wegener's Theory.” His art has been exhibited internationally in Poland, Germany, Monaco, France, and the United States. He also collaborated with Hollywood producer Renee Daalder on designs for the science fiction film “Strawberry Fields,” further expanding his reach.

Historical Significance and Legacy

Jacek Yerka’s unique artistic vision has earned him a significant place in contemporary art. His ability to seamlessly blend the surreal, the scientific, and the mythological creates captivating works that resonate with audiences worldwide. He continues to inspire artists and captivate viewers with his meticulously crafted and imaginative paintings.

Where to read more

The artist Jacek Yerka originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/jacek-yerka/
Similar works More works to compare originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/jacek-yerka-personal-shelf-8XYADA-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Personal Shelf

originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/jacek-yerka-personal-shelf-8XYADA-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: Yerka, Jacek. Personal Shelf. n.d., https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/jacek-yerka-personal-shelf-8XYADA-en/
APA: Yerka, Jacek (n.d.). Personal Shelf [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/jacek-yerka-personal-shelf-8XYADA-en/
Chicago: Jacek Yerka. Personal Shelf. n.d. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/jacek-yerka-personal-shelf-8XYADA-en/
Harvard: Yerka, Jacek (n.d.) Personal Shelf. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/jacek-yerka-personal-shelf-8XYADA-en/

Personal Shelf — Jacek Yerka

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
Our catalogue files this work under: gardens and parks. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
Look back at Epitaph - Jacek Yerka (2026), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
Surrealism: Dream logic painted with waking precision: impossible things shown as if they were ordinary. Where can you see that in this work?

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

Questions & Answers

What subjects appear in "Personal Shelf" by Jacek Yerka?

The themes present in "Personal Shelf" by Jacek Yerka include gardens and parks. Together they summarize the artwork's subject matter.

Who is the artist behind "Personal Shelf"?

"Personal Shelf" was created by Jacek Yerka. The information on this page describes Jacek Yerka's original work.

Can the image of "Personal Shelf" by Jacek Yerka be freely reproduced?

"Personal Shelf" by Jacek Yerka is still protected by copyright. This status governs how the image of the work may be reproduced.

Is a high-resolution download of "Personal Shelf" available?

A digital image of "Personal Shelf" by Jacek Yerka can be purchased on this page: a high-resolution digital image download.

Can I order an oil reproduction of "Personal Shelf"?

"Personal Shelf" is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction on linen canvas. The order can be placed on this page, with a choice of sizes.

Can I examine "Personal Shelf" in more detail?

The X-Ray view of "Personal Shelf" by Jacek Yerka is on the artwork's X-Ray page: an interactive examination of the image through eleven optical layers.

Is "Personal Shelf" available as a fine art print?

"Personal Shelf" is available as a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper. Orders are placed on this page, in the size of your choice.

What style does "Personal Shelf" belong to?

The movement associated with "Personal Shelf" by Jacek Yerka is Surrealism. This classification situates the work among related artists and artworks.