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 "The 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). In the foreground of the drawing is a woman in traditional 18th–19th century urban attire. She is likely a representative of the wealthy bourgeoisie of that time, possibly a widow or a respected middle-aged woman. She stands upright and confidently, her right arm bent at the elbow, holding a neatly folded scarf, cloak, or cape, while her other hand is in her jacket pocket. A scarf is tied around her head, completely covering her hair and neck – a characteristic feature of married women or members of religious communities. Over the scarf, she wears a wide-brimmed hat with a low crown and straight brims. Her outer garment is a jacket or kotsiubey (a type of bodice), tightly fastened with buttons, which has a decorative neckline and sides, probably with trim. Under the jacket is a long dress that reaches the ankles. Two layers of clothing are visible: outer clothing (jacket and skirt) and undergarments (a light-coloured underskirt or shirt). The woman is wearing shoes or boots with low heels. The clothing is thick, suitable for mid-season or cold weather, and can be described as rich and exquisite. In the background, there is an architectural structure with a tower, possibly a cathedral, church, or town hall, along with city buildings and fortified walls. Hills and several trees form the landscape. It is worth noting that the artist depicts the costume and clothing with great attention to detail. The face is shown neutrally, without any expressed emotions, and the woman's gaze is open and direct. The depiction of such costumes in painting and graphics helps researchers reconstruct the history of everyday life and creatively interpret cultural traditions. 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