The National Museum in Krakow is launching major exhibitions in the autumn 2021: on 3 December the new Stanisław Wyspiański Museum opened at the former Europeum. We can see familiar works presented in a fresh setting and art which has only found its way into Cracovian collections in recent years.
In recent years, works by the leading artist of the Young Poland movement have been shown in a range of locations throughout Kraków, most recently at the monumental exhibition at the Main Building of the National Museum in Krakow marking the 110th anniversary of his passing. This time, the new permanent exhibition is shown in the intimate rooms of the former city granary at the present-day Sikorskiego Square. We will see a range of iconic works including portraits, landscapes, sketches of stained-glass windows and polychromes, and stage set and costume designs, serving as a starting point for a more extensive conversation about Wyspiański and myriad aspects of his work such as modernity, nationalism, fantastical motifs and the influence of his vision on cinematography. The main part of the exhibition explores three themes: “Nature” and its relationship with religion (most notable in the designs for the Franciscan Church), “History” as seen in the stained-glass windows for the Wawel Cathedral, and “Antiquity” focusing on Wyspiański’s interest in ancient art and featuring the Apollo (System Copernicus) stained-glass window and other designs for the Medical Association. The museum also presents vast amounts of information, such as an online catalogue of Wyspiański’s artworks, digitalised literary works, articles, scripts and letters, and a research library. We will also see selected TV productions, recorded plays and screenings of his dramas.
Tickets: normal PLN 28, concessions PLN 15, family PLN 56, admission free on Tuesday
