Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Spring Labyrinth

Jacek Yerka, 2004

Name Class Date
Jacek Yerka, Spring Labyrinth (2004). 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 topimpressionists.com/en/artists/jacek-yerka/
Artist’s dates
1952 –
Painted
2004
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.

Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

Spring Labyrinth — Jacek Yerka Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Spring Labyrinth — Jacek Yerka

When was this painted?

  1. 1950
  2. 1960
  3. 1970
  4. 1980
  5. 1990
  6. 2000
  7. 2010
  8. 2020

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.

Painted when the artist was 52. 36 of the 79 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

▲ this work, 2004 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

Compare with

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: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/jacek-yerka-spring-labyrinth-8XYA8U-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Rosy Brown #a1b49f

    Catalogued palette

    • #A1B49F
    • #4F5E3C
    • #92A042
    • #D3DDE9

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

    Palette
    Nature The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Rosy Brown
    Intensity
    Vivid How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold 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
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Clear Color Presence 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. 1 China 30.5%
    2. 2 United States of America 17.9%
    3. 3 United Kingdom 11.3%
    4. 4 Austria 8.6%
    5. 5 Ethiopia 8.6%
    6. 6 Poland 6.0%
    7. 7 Latvia 4.0%
    8. 8 Canada 2.0%
    9. 9 France 2.0%
    10. 10 Argentina 1.3%
    11. · 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. 1 Shelves of Books (also known as Bibliotama) 14.0%
    2. 2 Spring Labyrinth, 2004 this painting 7.6%
    3. 3 The Angels' Kitchen, 2005 4.7%
    4. 4 Back from Safari 4.1%
    5. 5 Back to Home 3.5%
    6. 6 Loading cities 2.3%
    7. 7 The Garden 1.7%
    8. 8 Strawberry garden 1.7%
    9. 9 Fences, 2014 1.7%
    10. 10 Alarm Clock Wandering Seller 1.7%
    11. 11 Learning Walk 1.2%
    12. 12 Back To Nature, 1983 1.2%
    13. 13 Bathyscaphe 1.2%
    14. 14 Personal Shelf 1.2%
    15. 15 Summer 1.2%
    16. 16 Harvesting Amok 1.2%
    17. 17 Philip's site 1.2%
    18. 18 Enhabited oak 1.2%
    19. 19 Subconscious tower 1.2%
    20. 20 Boudoir 1.2%

    Together these works take 55.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 311 works by this artist, of which 91 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 2 of them, with 7.6% 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.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

    Spring Labyrinth — Jacek Yerka Part 2 · In context

    Artist and museum

    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

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Spring Labyrinth

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/jacek-yerka-spring-labyrinth-8XYA8U-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Yerka, Jacek. Spring Labyrinth. 2004, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/jacek-yerka-spring-labyrinth-8XYA8U-en/
    APA
    Yerka, Jacek (2004). Spring Labyrinth [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/jacek-yerka-spring-labyrinth-8XYA8U-en/
    Chicago
    Jacek Yerka. Spring Labyrinth. 2004. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/jacek-yerka-spring-labyrinth-8XYA8U-en/
    Harvard
    Yerka, Jacek (2004) Spring Labyrinth. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/jacek-yerka-spring-labyrinth-8XYA8U-en/

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

    Spring Labyrinth — Jacek Yerka Part 3 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Spring Labyrinth — Jacek Yerka

    Look closely

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

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: maze, swans, surrealism. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Epitaph - Jacek Yerka (2026), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. 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.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

    Spring Labyrinth — Jacek Yerka Part 4 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    What is the creation date of "Spring Labyrinth" by Jacek Yerka?

    "Spring Labyrinth" by Jacek Yerka was created in 2004.

    Who made "Spring Labyrinth", and when?

    "Spring Labyrinth" was created by Jacek Yerka in 2004.

    What stage of Jacek Yerka's career does "Spring Labyrinth" (2004) belong to?

    "Spring Labyrinth", created in 2004, belongs to the Mature Period of Jacek Yerka's career.