Jan Matejko

1838 - 1893

By: Artur Grabiec

Jan Alojzy Matejko (b. June 24, 1838 in Krakow, d. 1 November 1893 in Krakow)? - Polish painter, creator of historical and battle images, historian.

In the years 1852-1858 he studied under Władysław Łuszczkiewicz and Wojciech Stattlera at the School of Fine Arts in Krakow, where later was the director (since 1873). His pupils included Maurice Gottlieb, Jacek Malczewski, Jozef Mehoffer and Stanislaw Wyspianski.

Jan was the ninth child of eleven children. When John was seven years old, his mother died. Death of his mother undoubtedly had a big influence of the artistic passion and the personality of the future painter. His father did not show any feelings to children.Although Matejko and his siblings with origin in the middle were the Czech, they felt Polish patriots.

At the age of thirteen Jan Matejko was admitted to Krakow School of Fine Arts, whose director was then Wojciech Stattler. The teachers like: Joseph Kremer and Wladyslaw Luszczkiewicz inspired him to sketch Krakow's monuments, collecting materials, study details and images.In 1858 he received a scholarship to study in Munich. In 1864 after the sale of the painting Sermon Complaints he could afford to marry Theodora Giebułtowska. They had five children. Deepening with the financial problems were caused by the disease of Matejko's wife, as well as excessive stewardship of his own artistic achievements.

In 1853 he painted his first historical painting, Carowie Szujscy przed Zygmuntem III.

n 1862 he painted one of his greatest paintings, Stanczyk. He was only 24 years old

John was 26 years old when he was a huge success thanks to the paintin Sermon complaints.

Some of the big canvases he gave to the Polish Nation, the Pope was given Sobieski at Vienna.

France got his Joannę d'Arc.

He did not spare a donation to support the poor. He offered theem the oil sketch of Zygmunt August in the garden of Vilnius, which was then sold to Warsaw. Till the end of life he enjoyed great fame, both in Poland and around the world. He got numerous awards (including exhibitions in Paris). He avoided public appearances, which terrified him.

Eventually, he began to enrich their work and moved onto the Florian's street. Very soon he became a director of the School of Fine Arts in Krakow, rejecting the takeover of the Prague Academy of Fine Arts. The artist was appreciated by the international community, he became an honorary member of the Academy of Paris, Berlin, Prague, Vienna and the University in Urbino. He also devoted his time to the School of Arts and fought for the beautification of Krakow and the preservation of its monuments.

Rejtan – Polish fall – a picture from 1866 showing a protest of Thaddeus Reytan against Polish partition.

Unia Lubelska – painting by Jan Matejko from 1869. It was painted to commemorate the 300 anniversary of the Polish-

Lithuanian union concluded in Lublin in 1569.

Astronomer Copernicus, or Conversation with God - an oil painting by Jan Matejko showing Nicolaus Copernicus during the

observation of the sky from his private tower on the cathedral hill in Frombork.

Battle of Grunwald - oil painting by Jan Matejko painted in the years 1875-1878

Constitution of the 3th May 1791

Jan Matejko died after a burst stomach ulcer on November 1, 1893 at the age of

55 years. His last words were: "Let us pray for the fatherland! Blessed God."

During his funeral the Zygmunt bell was beating, and his last journey was

accompanied by thousands of Krakow inhabitants. His body was laid to rest in the

family tomb at the main avenue of the Rakowice cemetery in Krakow.

Jan Matejko