Jacek Malczewski is one of the most outstanding individuals of Polish art, one who occupies a special place in the creative output of the Young Poland period.

The year 2022 is the 200th anniversary of the publication of the first edition of “Ballads and Romances” by Adam Mickiewicz, considered to be the manifesto of Polish Romanticism. And 2022 has been declared the Year of Polish Romanticism.

On this occasion, the National Museum in Cracow is hosting an exceptional exhibition dedicated to Romanticism in the works of Jacek Malczewski. The exhibition focuses on three themes originating in Romantic traditions. The first of these is Messianism as inspired by Julisz Słowacki (including the Siberian cycle of paintings, providing a unique opportunity to admire several versions of the painting The Death of Ellenai); the second of them is the fascination with folklore and folk legends, ancient tales of water sprites and chimeras, fauns and angels; the third theme is Malczewski’s reflections on art itself, on inspiration, on the responsibility and special nature of the artist.

The exhibition presents more than 150 works by Malczewski from museum and private collections. It is also enhanced with archival photos of Malczewski and literary texts corresponding to the works of the artist.

The Main Building of the National Museum in Cracow; from 18.02 to 31.07.2022.

More information: https://mnk.pl/exhibitions/jacek-malczewski-the-romantic