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 depicts a man in a lavish outfit, indicating his high status – he's probably a voivode, a noble, or a prince from Eastern Europe. The image is executed as a linear graphic drawing, a thin contour drawing without hatching or shadows, but with clear elaboration of clothing details and attributes. The man stands straight and confidently, holding a mace in his right hand – a symbol of power, command, or military dignity. His left hand holds the hilt of a sabre or sword at his belt. His face is adorned with a moustache and beard, and his hair is short and neat. His clothing is very luxurious and typical of the high nobility or princes of the late Middle Ages or early modern period. On his head is a tall hat with a brim, made of fur or fabric, decorated with feathers or jewels. This type of headdress is characteristic of the nobility of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The man's outer garment is a kaftan or kontusz – a long cloak with a fur trim and puffed sleeves, probably also decorated with fur or embroidery. The cloak is unfastened, revealing the clothing beneath. The middle layer is a fitted, buttoned, or fastened żupan with details resembling buttons or precious fasteners along the torso, probably decorated with galloons or embroidery. The bottom layer of clothing consists of a wide shirt visible under the żupan, as well as trousers and traditional footwear – shoes or boots, which were typical of noble attire. Around his neck is a large jewellery or a chain with a medallion, which is possibly a symbol of a military merit order. The drawing is clearly stylised as an iconographic image of a historical figure. The man's pose is solemn, his hands shown in a gesture that emphasises power. There is no background, which focuses attention on the figure and costume. This image is executed in a graphic style to demonstrate his solemn status. The details of the costume, especially the headdress, coat, and mace, indicate his high position – possibly a hetman, prince, or senior military commander of the 16th–17th centuries. The artistic significance lies in the accurate and detailed reproduction of historical costume, making it a valuable source for researching and studying 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