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 drawing depicts three male figures standing in a row, one behind the other. The composition is shown from three different angles: on the left, a figure partially turned towards the viewer; in the centre, a figure in profile looking straight ahead; on the right, a figure with his back to the viewer. They are leaning on or simply holding long spear-like sticks or pikes, two of which are decorated with a brush or tassel at the top. Two men are seen holding flat hats with wide, round brims of the cavalier type. The group stands against a backdrop of curtain or tent fabric, with a decorative pelmet and pendants at the top, hinting at the interior of a tent. All have long hair down to their shoulders, straight or slightly wavy, partially parted. The faces, possibly with a small, barely noticeable moustache on the left figure, are generally those of young men. Under the outer clothing, a light collar with a lace or ruffled border (a small ruff) can be seen, which fitted closely to the neck – a typical element of shirts of the depicted era. All are dressed in short, fitted doublets or jackets with a cut waist and a short "skirt" (peplum) that extends from the waist and creates a flare at the hips. The jackets have seams and vertical darts; the back features a centre seam and a row of buttons/seams. The sleeves appear long, with a slight looseness at the shoulders and neat cuffs. Small folds and hatching are visible on these cuffs and shoulders, imitating fabric. On the right figure, you can see the folds of the sleeve and the edging around the shoulder, which looks as if the sleeves are slightly gathered or hemmed – thin lines convey the texture of wool or linen. The trousers are short, reaching to the lower part of the shin or just below the knee, densely pleated and wide at the hips (reminiscent of breeches or wide trousers of that time), gathered above the boots. The artist uses many lines across the folds and edges to convey the material's softness and volume. The man on the left is wearing tall, narrow, tight-fitting boots, while the other two are wearing tall leather boots with wide, turned-up tops. The top of the boot cuff is turned outwards and has a decorative pleated border or flounce. The boots are fastened with straps and buckles, and the soles and low heels are visible. Around the ankles, you can see gathered materials from stockings or thick coverings – everything is drawn in detail, with an emphasis on the leather's texture. Some parts of the clothing feature belts or ribbons that hold items in place or cinch the waist. The overall character of the clothing is functional but decorative – the fabrics appear dense (probably wool or thick cloth), and the collars and cuffs are trimmed with lace or ruffles. The style and silhouette of the clothing resemble a 17th-century military uniform – a short fitted jacket, wide breeches, high boots, and characteristic accessories: spears, hats, and brushes. The artist conveyed not only the shape but also the texture of the materials through careful hatching and contour drawing. Thus, this is clearly the artist's variation on a historical theme, which at the same time carefully conveys the details of the characters' attire.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery