This year marks the 185th anniversary of Jan Matejko’s birth and 130th anniversary of his death. In view of this, the National Cultural Centre (NCK) has decided to remind the general public of the outstanding painter’s little-known yet very interesting drawing legacy.
From 15 September to 15 October, the Kordegarda – NCK Gallery will show 43 drawings and sketches to Matejko’s well-known historical paintings, including Homage of the Shuyski Tsars, Rejtan, Prussian Homage, Skarga’s Sermon, Union of Lublin, Battle of Grunwald, Queen Jadwiga, Batory at Pskov, as well as lesser-known works, such as sketches to watercolours or lost paintings.
The drawings originate from the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw. Among those on display at the Kordegarda exhibition there are drawings created by the artist from the age of fifteen almost until his death.
Only twice before, in 1938 and 1993, works from the Cabinet of Drawings and Prints of the National Museum in Warsaw were presented in such a wide selection. Matejko is one of the most eminent artists in the history of Poland; his work, but also his public and patriotic activities made him a permanent part of the history of Polish culture.
“With Matejko, everything was of the highest standard. Jan Matejko was also a representative of the historicist school in art and an outstanding analyst of Polish history. He chose the most important subjects – landmark moments in Polish history”, said Minister of Culture and National Heritage Prof. Piotr Gliński during the opening of the exhibition “Jan Matejko. Pre-images’ in the Kordegarda in Warsaw.
Minister Piotr Gliński emphasised that Jan Matejko won recognition not only in Poland but was also an outstanding figure of European culture.
“He won a gold medal in Paris at the age of 26 for his painting ‘The Skarga’s Sermon’, which dealt with Polish problems and dilemmas. He was also a teacher of generations of great Polish painters and a historian of costume design”, recalled the head of the Ministry of Culture.
Adrian Andrzejewski