9. Jacek Malczewski, Self-porli ait in Armour, 1919, Kielce, Muzeum Narodowe (Photo. Poznań,
Muzeum Narodowe)
The symbolic imagination has shown remarkable inventiveness and flexibility in its striving
for the desircd, evasive object of cognition19. The phenomenal reality, which has a hackneyed,
commonplace meaning for profancs, is perceived by the iuitiatcd as a form whose secret, my-
sterious meaning is still waiting to bc decodcd20. The essencc, the ,,soul of the entire world", is
unveiled in momentary acts of illumination, manifests itself in its fragmentary, incomplete
embodiments in the lifc of naturę, the history of mankind and individuaJ biographics. The
Symbolists perceivc the history of culturc as a drama of partial rcvelations in my ths that synthesise
the expcrience of mankind, in beliefs prcscrvcd by bumanity, in artistic creation lifting the veil
of the sacred 01' in individual attitudes that bring out certain values21. The Symbolists survey
the entire cultural expericncc, which calls for a new synthesis, enrich it with their persona]
experience, and enact anew iu the „theatre of his soul"aa. Therefore to synrbolise also means to
present oneself in a striking but meaningful attire, to give ouc s owu lincameuls of the lace to
44
Muzeum Narodowe)
The symbolic imagination has shown remarkable inventiveness and flexibility in its striving
for the desircd, evasive object of cognition19. The phenomenal reality, which has a hackneyed,
commonplace meaning for profancs, is perceived by the iuitiatcd as a form whose secret, my-
sterious meaning is still waiting to bc decodcd20. The essencc, the ,,soul of the entire world", is
unveiled in momentary acts of illumination, manifests itself in its fragmentary, incomplete
embodiments in the lifc of naturę, the history of mankind and individuaJ biographics. The
Symbolists perceivc the history of culturc as a drama of partial rcvelations in my ths that synthesise
the expcrience of mankind, in beliefs prcscrvcd by bumanity, in artistic creation lifting the veil
of the sacred 01' in individual attitudes that bring out certain values21. The Symbolists survey
the entire cultural expericncc, which calls for a new synthesis, enrich it with their persona]
experience, and enact anew iu the „theatre of his soul"aa. Therefore to synrbolise also means to
present oneself in a striking but meaningful attire, to give ouc s owu lincameuls of the lace to
44