DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45642#0177
„Domowe portrety". Przyczynek do badań nad życiem i twórczością Henryka Siemiradzkiego...
173
Magdalena Laskowska
"Domestic portraits". Contribution to research on the life and work
of Henryk Siemiradzki (1843-1902) based on drawings and sketches
by the artist from the collections of the National Museum in Kraków
The collection of Henryk Siemiradzki s works (1843-1902), collected in the National Museum in Kra-
ków, contains sixty-four oil paintings, two hundred and seventy-seven drawings and seventeen sketch-
books. This rich collection, the most abundant of all Polish and foreign collections, is complemented
by a valuable collection of Siemiradzki manuscripts and his relatives, memorabilia of the artist, family
photographs and photographs presenting the painters workshop. Most of the drawings in the Museum
collection come from two sources: purchased Irom the son of the artist, Leon Siemiradzki (1883-1976),
in 1964 and the donation madę by Edward Kudrewicz, the heir of Leon Siemiradzki and Stanisława
Kudrewicz Siemiradzka, who in 1979 handed over the painters Roman legacy.
These works, which are ofgreat importance to the artists research and work, are also extremely valuable
sources for studies on the biography of the author of The Torches ofNero, including portraiture sketches
of his wife Mary of Pruszynski (born 1855) children: Bolesław (1874-1914), Kazimierz (1876-1877),
Wanda (1878-1962) and Leon (1883-1976), as well as the distant family, friends and acquaintances of
the painter, and sketches of scenes of everyday life in the Roman villa at Via Gaeta 1. Many sketchpad
sheets are filled with fancy drawings for childrens entertainment: rebuses, caricatures, and doli toys in
loose leather. Another interesting aspect of the sketches and drawings are the accompanying notes, as many
of Siemiradzkis sketchbooks also functioned as diaries.
173
Magdalena Laskowska
"Domestic portraits". Contribution to research on the life and work
of Henryk Siemiradzki (1843-1902) based on drawings and sketches
by the artist from the collections of the National Museum in Kraków
The collection of Henryk Siemiradzki s works (1843-1902), collected in the National Museum in Kra-
ków, contains sixty-four oil paintings, two hundred and seventy-seven drawings and seventeen sketch-
books. This rich collection, the most abundant of all Polish and foreign collections, is complemented
by a valuable collection of Siemiradzki manuscripts and his relatives, memorabilia of the artist, family
photographs and photographs presenting the painters workshop. Most of the drawings in the Museum
collection come from two sources: purchased Irom the son of the artist, Leon Siemiradzki (1883-1976),
in 1964 and the donation madę by Edward Kudrewicz, the heir of Leon Siemiradzki and Stanisława
Kudrewicz Siemiradzka, who in 1979 handed over the painters Roman legacy.
These works, which are ofgreat importance to the artists research and work, are also extremely valuable
sources for studies on the biography of the author of The Torches ofNero, including portraiture sketches
of his wife Mary of Pruszynski (born 1855) children: Bolesław (1874-1914), Kazimierz (1876-1877),
Wanda (1878-1962) and Leon (1883-1976), as well as the distant family, friends and acquaintances of
the painter, and sketches of scenes of everyday life in the Roman villa at Via Gaeta 1. Many sketchpad
sheets are filled with fancy drawings for childrens entertainment: rebuses, caricatures, and doli toys in
loose leather. Another interesting aspect of the sketches and drawings are the accompanying notes, as many
of Siemiradzkis sketchbooks also functioned as diaries.