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 women in traditional 19th-century peasant dress, as indicated by the clothing's cut and style. Women in rural areas wore such clothing – practical yet incorporating elements of local culture. The woman on the right stands with her back to the viewer, slightly turned towards the other woman. This other woman also has her back turned, but is half-turned towards the viewer, allowing us to see her profile. They are very similar in clothing and posture, both wearing identical rounded hats or berets, slightly flattened at the top, that fit snugly around the head and look soft, possibly made of fabric or felt. Both women are wearing similar jackets or short coats, fitted at the back and with wide collars. The back of the right woman's garment has characteristic pleating or gatherings that emphasise the waist, probably an element of traditional folk costume. Their legs are entirely covered by long, wide, ankle-length skirts with pleats, which was typical of women's clothing at that time. They are wearing simple, low-heeled shoes, probably leather boots. Their poses and the scene's general background suggest that the artist depicted two people travelling or going somewhere. The surrounding background, formed by a dirt road, stones, and trees, confirms the idea that the two travellers have stopped on their way and are talking. The figures of the women are calm, without tension or fatigue, and the expression of the woman on the left shows a peaceful moment from the everyday life of two people. Their hands are lowered or lightly touching each other, which gives the scene a natural and relaxed feel. In the background, a stone fence and vegetation are visible – perhaps they are standing in the countryside or on the outskirts of a settlement. 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 clothing, 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