In December 2021, the pastel Tatra Highlander Girl / Country Girl in a Yellow Kerchief by Leon Wyczółkowski (1852–1936), which had disappeared during World War II, returned to Wawel Royal Castle.
The work appeared on the art market in Poland in December 2020. Recognized by staff members of the Department of Cultural Heritage Abroad and Wartime Losses of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as the lost Wyczółkowski, it was duly purchased. This important event inspired the present exhibition focusing on three themes: wartime losses and the search process; Leon Piniński, his collection, and his generosity in support of Wawel Castle; and finally Wawel Hill and its architecture, an abiding motif in Wyczółkowski’s work. The outstanding painter, draughtsman, and printmaker often depicted the historic architecture of Krakow, a city with which he was connected for many years.Pride of place in the exhibition is given to the recovered pastel, which was executed in 1900 and acquired by Piniński shortly thereafter. The lyrical image of a pensive girl in folk costume speaks not only to the artist’s interest in the countryside and its inhabitants, but also to his talent as a portraitist. The model’s relaxed pose and the patterned yellow kerchief tied in back—the main colorful accent in the picture—capture the viewer’s attention.
The pastel comes from the collection of Leon Piniński (1857–1938). Closely tied to Lwów (now Lviv), Piniński was a lawyer, politician, and professor, later becoming rector of the University of Lwów, as well as an art connoisseur and collector.Wyczółkowski painted the portrait (1899) on view in the exhibition when Piniński was viceroy of Galicia (1898–1903). Wawel was important to Piniński, who first became involved in recovering the castle from the Austrian army and later with its furnishing. As a member of the Wawel advisory committees, he often voiced his reservations concerning the restoration work being carried out by Adolf Szyszko-Bohusz. He spoke out about Xawery Dunikowski’s series Wawel Heads and the Wawel painted ceilings, among other things. When he wanted to donate part of his collection to the State Art Collection at Wawel, he established the Count Leon Piniński Wawel Foundation in 1931; it was accredited by the voivode of Lwów in 1935.
May 13 – June 30: 9:30 am – 5 pm, last entry 4:40 pm
July 1 – August 18: 9:30 am – 7 pm, last entry 6:40 pm
admission: regular 10 PLN, reduced 5 PLN
