DOI Heft:
Nr. 4
DOI Artikel:Skubiszewska, Maria: Introduction
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18940#0104
This special issue of the Bulletin du Musee National de Varsovie is dedicated
to Count Edward Raczyński, President of the Polish Government-in-Exile and
distinguished patron of Polish museums, on the hundredth anniversary of his
birthday, ivhich fell on DecemŁer 19th, 1991.
INTRODUCTION
Count Edward Raczyński comes from a noble faraily from Great Poland, one which nas
distinguished itself in the service of the country and Polish culture. He spent his childhood at
Rogalin, the family's estate near Poznań. Tłiere, in a palące surrounded by a park of wonderful
oaks, the Raczyński family gathered an importint callection of art. Their palące in Warsaw
housed othcr masterpieces.
Continuing a family tradition, Edward Raczyński, like his brother Roger, devoted his many
talents and a lifetime's work to the ssrWcj of the Polish state. The crowning of his political
career came in 1979 when he was appointsd t] be Polish President in Exile, a post in which
he served till 1986.
The hundredth anniversary of Edward Raczyński's birthday fell on December 19, 1991.
On numerous occasions during this very year he had the opportunity to show a deep concern
for his country, now finally free. He founded the Raczyński Foundation at the National Museum
in Poznań and bequeathed to the nation the family's palące at Rogalin and its collection. To
the National Museum in Warsaw he presented ten paintings from the Raczyński palące in the
capital, all works of European seventeenth cjntnry painting, including such masterpieces as
the Still łife by Willem Claesz Heda.
The Royal Castle in Warsaw Was the recipient of the m^st prestigious decorations and awards
received by ths Count: the Star and Cross of the Order of the White Eagle, the Star and Cross
of the Order of the Restitution of Poland, the Commandery of the Order of the Resitution of
Poland, Great Cross of the Order of the Crown of Romania, Star of the Order of Afghanistan,
the Commandery of the Latvian Order of Three Stars, Knight's Cross of the Danish Order of
Danebrog.
Wishing to express our deep gratitude to Count Raczyński for his valuable gift, the Gallery
of European Painting of the National Museum in Warsaw prepared an exhibition devoted to
the benefactor and his legacy. It was opened on December 18, 1991, on the eve of the hundredth
anniversary of the Honourable Benefactor. Besides the ten paintings offered to the National
Museum in Warsaw, the exhibition included a set of photographs from the life of Edward Ra-
czyński, books written by him (and collcctcd in London by Mr. Marek Swięszkowski who sent
them to us) and the awards he was honoured with during a lifetime.
Thanks to the Chancellory of the President of the Polish Republic, the Museum was also
able to put on exhibition the insignia of presidential office which were for a time associated
with the person of Raczyński and which were brought back to Poland in 1991 after more than
fifty years of absence.
85
to Count Edward Raczyński, President of the Polish Government-in-Exile and
distinguished patron of Polish museums, on the hundredth anniversary of his
birthday, ivhich fell on DecemŁer 19th, 1991.
INTRODUCTION
Count Edward Raczyński comes from a noble faraily from Great Poland, one which nas
distinguished itself in the service of the country and Polish culture. He spent his childhood at
Rogalin, the family's estate near Poznań. Tłiere, in a palące surrounded by a park of wonderful
oaks, the Raczyński family gathered an importint callection of art. Their palące in Warsaw
housed othcr masterpieces.
Continuing a family tradition, Edward Raczyński, like his brother Roger, devoted his many
talents and a lifetime's work to the ssrWcj of the Polish state. The crowning of his political
career came in 1979 when he was appointsd t] be Polish President in Exile, a post in which
he served till 1986.
The hundredth anniversary of Edward Raczyński's birthday fell on December 19, 1991.
On numerous occasions during this very year he had the opportunity to show a deep concern
for his country, now finally free. He founded the Raczyński Foundation at the National Museum
in Poznań and bequeathed to the nation the family's palące at Rogalin and its collection. To
the National Museum in Warsaw he presented ten paintings from the Raczyński palące in the
capital, all works of European seventeenth cjntnry painting, including such masterpieces as
the Still łife by Willem Claesz Heda.
The Royal Castle in Warsaw Was the recipient of the m^st prestigious decorations and awards
received by ths Count: the Star and Cross of the Order of the White Eagle, the Star and Cross
of the Order of the Restitution of Poland, the Commandery of the Order of the Resitution of
Poland, Great Cross of the Order of the Crown of Romania, Star of the Order of Afghanistan,
the Commandery of the Latvian Order of Three Stars, Knight's Cross of the Danish Order of
Danebrog.
Wishing to express our deep gratitude to Count Raczyński for his valuable gift, the Gallery
of European Painting of the National Museum in Warsaw prepared an exhibition devoted to
the benefactor and his legacy. It was opened on December 18, 1991, on the eve of the hundredth
anniversary of the Honourable Benefactor. Besides the ten paintings offered to the National
Museum in Warsaw, the exhibition included a set of photographs from the life of Edward Ra-
czyński, books written by him (and collcctcd in London by Mr. Marek Swięszkowski who sent
them to us) and the awards he was honoured with during a lifetime.
Thanks to the Chancellory of the President of the Polish Republic, the Museum was also
able to put on exhibition the insignia of presidential office which were for a time associated
with the person of Raczyński and which were brought back to Poland in 1991 after more than
fifty years of absence.
85