Little of note was achieved by Polish painters during the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. During that era the elite tended to nurture foreign talent. But the nineteenth century bore some immense fruits, (as was also the case in literature). This epoch, which indeed was the century in which Poland was deprived of her sovereignty, gave rise to some of the most interesting artistic personalities that the country has produced.
The gallery in the Cloth Hall is largely devoted to this era. There is also a small selection of works from the reign of Poland’s last king, the enlightened Stanislas Poniatowski, (r.1764-1795). There are some gems here, including Stanislas Witkiewicz’s 'High Wind in the Tatras' and also a couple of important (and vast) canvases by Jan Matejko. The large, dreamy, 'Funeral of the Lithuanian Prince Gedymin, 1341,' by Kazimierz Alchimowicz, may also enchant those with a soft spot for Tolkien. A further high-point is the room devoted to Piotr Michalowski (1800–1855). His smoky, ethereal portraits, largely of war veterans and Jews, betray the hand of a master. The gallery owns his greatest work, 'The Charge of Polish Cavalry at Somosierra'.
However, on the whole one cannot help feeling that this collection simply does not do justice to the range and brilliance of the era. There are far too many mediocre paintings which could easily be replaced with more resonant works. Indeed, the clutch of paintings from the late eighteenth century only seems to distract from the focus of the collection. They would be far better off in another museum.
Furthermore, when one contemplates the black and white photographs of the gallery’s initial character, as it was during the 1890’s, the concept of a complete overhaul seems all the more inspiring. Today, the ‘Four in Hand’ room, with its bleak grey walls, seems to conjure the atmosphere of a warehouse more than it does a pantheon to Poland’s finest artistic sons. A lick of paint alone would do this room a world of good.
That said, this gallery is certainly worth a visit for the handful of great works that are there. And the setting, beginning with the old stairwell with its elegant balustrade and magnificent ceiling, is a joy in itself.
However, as the visitors continue to flow in each year, one feels that something great could be done here. The period 1815-1914 saw a remarkable blossoming of Polish talent. It deserves to be wider known. With some creative thinking, and the pooling of works from other Polish collections, these artists could be given a fitting tribute. The location of this museum is already fantastic. With a little good fortune, it could be transformed into one of Europe’s most appealing little galleries.
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