Jan Matejko (1838-1893)

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Jan Matejko is one of Poland's most outstanding painters. He painted big canvases representing the history of Poland at its moments of greatest glory or most dismal decline. He created a Romantic vision of the history of Poland and wanted to print it deeply in the imagination of every Pole at a time when the existence of the Polish identity was threatened. Besides his artistic talent, we must also focus on the social function of his work, dedicated to Poland: "Art is a weapon of sorts; one ought not to separate art from the love of one's homeland".

Extraits

[...] He also painted a monumental polychrome in Mary's Church in Krakow (1889- 1891). He died the 1st November of 1893 of an illness lasting several years and was buried in Krakow. His historical background: the partitioned Poland To understand the role of Matejko's paintings in Poland, we must bear in mind that during the 19th century, Poland was wiped off the map. In German and Russian territories, it was forbidden to use Polish language at school; transmission of Polish national history was not possible and books about that subject were censored. [...]

[...] Jan Matejko (1838-1893) Jan Matejko, "Self-Portrait" National Museum, Warsaw Bibliography - Early Modern Polish Art, 1890-1918, Jan Cavanaugh - East European Art, Jeremy Howard - Matejko i historia ,K. Krawczyk - www.culture.pl - www.mnw.art.pl - www.poland.gov.pl Jan Matejko is one of Poland's most outstanding painters. He made big canvases representing the history of Poland at its moments of great glory or most dismal decline. He created a Romantic vision of the history of Poland and wanted to print it deeply in the imagination of every Pole at a time when the existence of the Polish identity was threatened. [...]

[...] Later he could even afford one of the finest mansions in Krakow and a country property for his wife and their 4 children. He declined an offer to become the principal of the Prague Academy of Fine Arts to stay in Krakow, where he became the Principal of the School of Arts. His second cycle of paintings, painted after the defeat of January Uprising, is dedicated to the famous events in Polish history. Matejko depicted every major event or battle in Polish history. In addition to historical events, Matejko made also several portraits. [...]

[...] This intellectual and artistic environment stimulated the growth of Polish demands for self- government. Romanticism was the artistic element of 19th century European culture that played a key role on the Polish national consciousness. The Romantic Movement was a natural partner of political nationalism. In the mid-19th century, after the death of those artists, Matejko took over. He adapted the ideals of Romantic poetry in his subjects of paintings. He wished that Poland would be sovereign soon too: "Today there are no Polish kings. [...]

[...] In Skarga's Sermon (1864), Matejko wants to express his overall view of history. The scene as it is depicted on the painting never really took place that way, but it stands for the general situation. We can see Piotr Skarga, a Jesuit and the Court Priest, preaching to the King and the nobles at Court, excoriate them to reform their ways lest freedom be lost. The last painting, Rejtan, the fall of Poland (1866), represents the opposition of Rejtan, a member of the Sejm, to the acceptance of the first partition of Poland in the Sejm. [...]