Collection of Ethnographic Drawings

Kajetan Wincenty Kielisiński created numerous etchings and drawings devoted to folklore, life in Polish villages and towns, historical monuments, and landscapes. He was one of the first to develop bookplates in Poland. During his travels to various locations, he collected graphic materials for the publications "Polish Antiquities" and "Folk Costumes". In 1855, Poznań publisher Jan Konstanty Żupanski published "Kielisiński's Album", which collected the artist's scattered works. Kielisiński's graphic works, drawings, sketchbooks, and correspondence were kept in the Kórnik Library of the Polish Academy of Sciences, as well as in national museums (Kraków, Poznań, Warsaw) and renowned libraries (Jagiellonian University, Ossolineum, Warsaw University). The picture shows two people dressed in traditional peasant clothing of the 19th century. In the foreground stands a young or middle-aged man, his figure slightly shifted to the right of centre. He is dressed in a long, knee-length coat belted at the waist and narrow trousers. On his head, he wears a tall fur hat (kuchma) or a felt hat (kresania), and on his feet, he wears postoly (traditional leather shoes). With his right hand, he is holding his outer garment slung over his shoulder, and on the right side, a bag hangs over his shoulder. In his left hand, which is held to the side, he holds a stick on which he leans, suggesting that the hero has stopped walking. Such details may indicate travel or trade. The man's facial features are calm, without any pronounced emotions, and his gaze is direct. In the background, to the left of the man, a woman with her back to the viewer is walking towards a peasant's hut visible in the distance. She has a scarf tied around her head, is dressed in a wide-sleeved shirt and a long skirt, and is barefoot. In her right hand, she holds a wooden stool with four legs, and for convenience, she supports and slightly lifts the edge of her skirt. On her left shoulder, she carries a stick with knots hanging from both ends, each with things attached, which could also be laundry. Her figure is smaller than that of the man, creating an impression of perspective and depth of space. Obviously, this is a moment captured from the peasant life of that time. The surrounding background is outlined: it is a dirt road with small hills, bushes, and plants. In the distance, to the right of the man, the outline of a peasant hut is visible, but with careful detailing of clothing and accessories. The image has a calm, harmonious character. The lines are clear, the detail is moderate, and we can see the clothing's folds and the facial features. The drawing's background is minimalist. The graphic drawing has undeniable historical and cultural value, as it is a precise and careful reproduction of folk clothing. Since the drawing accurately reflects and conveys the details and features of the folk clothing of a particular region, it has a pronounced ethnographic, historical, and cultural value. Its artistic significance lies in the accurate and detailed reproduction of folk costumes, making it a valuable source for research and study of traditional culture. From an aesthetic point of view, we are dealing with a realistic drawing, with a special emphasis on its documentary nature.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery