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). The picture shows two women standing calmly opposite each other: one with her back turned and the other facing the viewer, allowing the clothing to be seen from two angles. Both women are wearing long dresses that reach their ankles. Underneath the main outer layer, underskirts are visible. On top, they are wearing outer garments that resemble coats or long jackets with a fitted silhouette. The upper part of the outfit features a collar that falls on the shoulders. The woman on the left has clearly visible rows of buttons and folds on her back, which give the garment volume and decorative appeal. The women's headwear consists of fabric caps or scarves tied at the back or at the top for the woman on the left, while the woman on the right has a headband tied in a knot at the front. They are wearing boots or shoes with low soles. The woman on the right also has a noticeable necklace or chain around her neck. Overall, the clothing looks warm and suitable for the cool season. It is multi-layered and practical, while also featuring decorative elements such as buttons, pleats, and embellishments. It looks like two women who know each other well have met on the road and stopped to chat; their poses and gestures indicate a calm atmosphere and mutual interest. The figures are rendered attentively and carefully, with an emphasis on the details of the clothing, against a background of visible trees or bushes. The artist focused on the women's everyday clothing. The contours are clear, and the fabric's folds are drawn with lines that convey the material's texture. 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