Stanisław Wyspiański Museum

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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

The new Stanisław Wyspiański Museum

pl. Sikorskiego 6

Since 2021, the Old Granary has housed the Stanisław Wyspiański Museum: an exhibition space and a place for research into the biography, works and artistic techniques of one of Poland's most outstanding and versatile artists – playwright, poet, painter, graphic artist, theatre reformer and interior designer.

The National Museum in Krakow holds the largest collection of Stanisław Wyspiański's works in Poland, comprising over 1,100 objects. The most important are portrait and landscape paintings, as well as a set of designs for decorating Krakow's churches and public buildings: the Franciscan Church, Wawel Cathedral and the Medical Association House. The collection also includes drawings, textiles, furniture, sculptures, engravings and art books. The outstanding and unique character of these collections is presented on the three floors of the Granary: the ground floor, first floor and basement.

By opening a separate department to present the works of Stanisław Wyspiański, the Museum is continuing its rich history of educational and exhibition activities to popularise his works, first undertaken shortly after the artist's death in 1907. They resulted in monographic exhibitions, e.g. in the Cloth Hall (1912, 1930) and in the Main Building (1957, 2000, 2007, 2017, 2019), as well as in biographical museums devoted to him: in Kanonicza Street (1983–2002) and in the Szołayski House in Szczepański Square (2004–2012).

In order to ensure the safety of the collections for a permanent exhibition, it was necessary to adapt the conditions to the most sensitive objects, and thus to select the right light intensity and exposure time for the reaction of the materials used by the artist. For these reasons, the exhibition will come in two versions, changing every year. Moreover, in comparison with other branches of the National Museum in Krakow, it is open to visitors for a shorter time during the week.

Tickets: normal PLN 18, concessions PLN 14, family PLN 36, admission free on Tuesday
A visit to the museum is subject to a seat reservation. Entry to the museum by purchasing tickets at the box office is possible subject to availability of vacancies. Buy a ticket online: https://bilety.mnk.pl/?lang=en

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