In summer 2025, through an exceptional partnership with the National Museum in Warsaw, the Fondation de l’Hermitage in Lausanne will highlight the remarkably vibrant art of Poland in the period 1850–1914.

The 19th century was a key period in Polish history, when the country’s entire territory was shared out between Russia, Austria and Prussia, and Polish artists strove to keep their culture alive. The painters created a unique iconography of Polish landscapes and traditions, celebrating the return of the independent Poland towards which the country’s intellectuals were working. Polish painters often trained at the art schools of Munich, Paris and St Petersburg, and were fully involved in the conversations that drove the development of European art.

This exhibition featuring 100 iconic works will explore the main movements reflected in the work of Polish artists: Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Symbolism and Modernism. It will give visitors a unique opportunity to discover treasures from the National Museum in Warsaw that underpin the Polish culture of today, in all their originality.

Founded in 1862, the National Museum in Warsaw is one of Poland’s leading cultural institutions. It holds an outstanding collection of works ranging from antiquity to contemporary art. The institution plays a key role in the research, preservation, and promotion of Polish art, while placing its collections in dialogue with European and global artistic heritage.

The Adam Mickiewicz Institute (IAM) brings Polish culture to people around the world. As a state institution, we create lasting interest in Polish culture and art through strengthening the presence of Polish artists on the global stage. We initiate innovative projects, support international cooperation and cultural exchange. We promote the work of both established and emerging artists, showcasing the diversity and richness of our culture. We also run the Culture.pl portal, a comprehensive source of knowledge about Polish culture.

The exhibition is available from 27.06. to 09.11.2025.

Read more: https://fondation-hermitage.ch/en/home/expositions/next/la-pologne-revee/