1838 -1893 · Krakow and history of Poland

Monumental crowds, documented costumes and moments of crisis make Jan Matejko the great painter of Polish history, conceived as memory, judgment and call for independence.

Jan Matejko was born in Krakow in 1838 and spent most of his life there. At a very young age, he observed medieval monuments, Wawel tombs, ancient objects and ceremonies which nourished his historical imagination. Entering the Krakow School of Fine Arts in 1852, he learned from Władysław uluszczkiewicz to document the architecture and arts of the past, while Wojciech Korneli Stattler passed on the precision of drawing to him. Studying in Munich and Vienna completed this training in 1852, he learned from Władysław uluszczkiewicz to document the architecture and arts of the past, while Wojciech Korneli Stattler passed on the precision of drawing to him. Study stays in Munich and Vienna completed this training. Matejko does not consider the historical painting as a neutral illustration. Study stays in Munich and Vienna complete this training. Matejko does not consider the historical painting as a neutral illustration. Study stays in Munich and Vienna complete this training. Matejko does not consider the historical painting as a neutral illustration. Study stays in Munich and Vienna complete this training. Matejko does not consider the historical painting as a neutral illustration. Study stays in Munich and Vienna complete this restore a common memory and give the public figures around which to think about the present. Stanishzyk isolates the melancholy jester in the middle of a party, holding the news of a defeat: the lucid character becomes conscious of the nation. Rejtan shows the deputy tearing his shirt to oppose the first partition of Poland; gestures, portraits and decor transform the political event into a collective accusation. The Battle of Grunwald brings together fighters, weapons and banners in a monumental shock dedicated to the victory of 1410. The Astronomer Copernicus, on the contrary, suspends the action: The Battle of Grunwald brings together fighters, weapons and banners in a monumental shock dedicated to the victory of 1410. The Astronomer Copernicus, on the contrary, suspends the action. The Battle of Grunwald brings together fighters, weapons and banners in a monumental shock dedicated to the victory of 1410. The Astronomer Copernicus, on the contrary, suspends the action. The Battle of Grunwald brings together fighters, weapons and banners in a monumental shock dedicated to the victory of 1410. The Astronomer Copernicus, on the contrary, suspends the action. The Battle of Grunwald brings together fighters, weapons and ban in the 1860s, Matejko became director of the Krakow School of Fine Arts in 1873, a position he retained until his death. Painter, professor, collector and defender of monuments, he produced more than three hundred oil paintings as well as several hundred drawings and studies. Died in 1893, he lastingly shaped the visual image of Polish history. Died in 1893, he lastingly shaped the visual image of Polish history. The "Jan Matejko" selection notably compares Stanishczyk and The Battle of Grunwald. His reading favors light.

Matejko not only reconstructs the past: he summons each character before the court of national memory.