Paul Pieronek (1891-1974) Born in Żywiec, Kraków, Poland. Immigrated to the US in xxxx. Paul and brother Joseph came to the US. His parents Józefina and ___ stayed in Poland along with sister Karolina and brother Walter. Paul opened his photo studio at 671 Medbury in 191x- and built the Joseph Campau building in 1925.
Paul took this photo of his mother Józefina Zuk. A black and white photo, Paul enhanced it with photo oils to create a classic portrait. Józefina Pieronek was born in 18xx and died in 19xx.
Józefina and her husband Władysław (?) had four children. Sons Józef and Paweł immigrated to the United States and settled in Michigan. Son Walter (Władysław?) and daughter Karolina lived their adult lives in Poland.
Bridal portrait of Helen Sxxxxx and her groom Paul Pieronek. They were married at St. Stanislaus church in Detroit (date). This portrait was taken in the _________ studio.
Beautiful portrait of Helen, petite- standing 4' 11, she barely rests her elbow on the pedestal. Helen was born in Detroit- her parents were x and x.
Helen and Paul were attended by three male and three female witnesses. Notice the females each wear a variation of the wide brimmed hats. The two flower girls wear traditional Polish bows in their hair.
Paul and his three attendants were dressed to the nines. Their top hats are proper dress for a 1910s wedding. From left to right: Paul Pieronek, xxx,xxx,xxxx.
Paul was not always behind the camera. Seated to the left of the bride suggests he served as best man. The wedding party is unknown but the portrait was taken in the Litynski-Jakubowski Co. studio. c. 19xx
This bridal portrait was taken at Jos. Sowinski's studio. Paul Pieronek is standing directly behind the groom. Wedding party unknown.
Paul's photo collection includes the glassine envelope that protected the photo. It is also printed with the name and location of the studio: Jos. Sowinski, 376 Canfield Ave. E.
Litynski-Jakubowski Co. studio,
Embossed and decorated photo album cover c. 191x. Paul created this album of portraits of Helen and himself. It contains three portraits of Helen and one of Paul.
Helen in her best hat and fur trimmed coat.
Youthful portraits of Helen and Paul Pieronek.
Colorfully embossed "Our Baby" album assembled by Paul Pieronek. It includes photos of Helen and Paul with their first born Walenty (later known as Val) 14 Feb 1918-10 Nov 1989.
Val in a traditional romper of the period. Helen in a classic side portrait with her son Val. Val was photographed in two different rompers. He sports patent leather shoes in one portrait and white button shoes in the other.
The props used in Val's portraits are interesting. He holds a bunch of grapes in the first portrait- and the slow shutter speed captures the swaying. Val seems to be engrossed in checking out the reindeer's antlers.
Val seems to grow from one photo to the other- or are they from different sittings? Nestled on his tall father's lap he looks like a small boy. Standing on a chair next to his petite mother- he seems well on his way to his future adult height of xxx. **note on furniture: Proportions Massive and bulky. Essential elements Bold carving in high relief, emphasizing outline instead of detail. Oversized classical motifs. Structural scroll components and heavy geometric shapes. Stenciling or gilded brass or bronze decoration. Handsome veneers. Saber or curule legs. Feet: large scroll, ball, or carved animal. Solid vase-shaped splats on some chairs. Marble tops and heavy pedestal bases on tables. http://freenet.buffalo.edu/bah/f/fstyles/emp/empire.html#America
The dark clothing and background make Paul, Helen and Val the center of attention. Val is the center of attention and has an arm around his mother's neck and rests on his father's hand. Val's romper has smocking on the front and pintucking along the collar. Helen sits in the *** style chair that was also used in the father/son portrait.
Paul and Helen had four sons. This quartet of photos were framed and displayed together and taken c. 19xx Left to right: Richard (Ryszard) , Mitch (Mieczysław) , Cass (Kazimierz) and Val (Walenty).
Helen and her four sons. Left to right : Helen and Val; standing l to r: Cass, Val and Richard. The backdrop is a painted scene with a window framing a pastoral view. The chair is know as a xxxxx. c. 193x.
The four Pieronek boys pose in front of the fireplace in the studio. It was a real working fireplace (?). Constructed by _______, it was a fixture in the studio from __ until the studio was remodeled in 1950. (please correct as needed).
A Pieronek family favorite- the boys around the family Christmas tree c. 194_. The family lived about the studio at 11633 Jos. Campau. Displayed on the far wall are portraits of Paul and Helen's wedding and a smaller photo of Paul surrounded by his four sons.
Richard Pieronek (1926-2002) Richard was photographed on his First Communion wearing a suit with short pants and wearing a arm ribbon that signified the sacramental recipient. Dick holds his missal and rosary- customary gifts for this important event in the lives of Catholic families.
Dick Pieronek
The newly remodeled Pieronek Studios located in 11633 Jos. Campau. c. 1950
Interior of the newly remodeled Pieronek Studios c. 1950 complete with chrome trimmed arm chairs and sofa. Ash trays were still apart of the decor.
The newly remodeled Pieronek Studios located in 11633 Jos. Campau. c. 1950. The building still features the classic 50s sign.
Pope John Paul II passes the Pieronek Studios during his Sept. 19, 1987 to metro Detroit and Hamtramck. News stories about traffic jams and over bearing crowds scared travelers away. The studio's display window was trimmed in the Vatican colors: yellow and white.
Paul walks up the road in the village of ________ to the house where he was born in 1891. Paul visited his birth place several times in the late 1950s and 1960s. His visit in 1957 is documented as a KLM airline flight from Amsterdam to New York June 9, 1957.
Paul's brother Walter Pieronek and wife Katarzyna.
Pieronek family in the village of _____. Paul is seated in the lower left corner next to his sister in law Katarzyna. Also in the front row is Walter and _. The back row l to r: Walter's son _____, daughter _______, x, x and x. c. 1957 ?
Three generations of Pieroneks: Paul surrounded by his four sons L to R: Dick, Mitch, Cass and Val. Middle row: Joann, Paul, daughter in law, Helen. Front row: Cathy, Patty, Tom, Cass' son, grand daughter, grandson, sitting on Mom's lap.
