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 a man and a woman who, judging by their clothing and external attributes, can be classified as townspeople. The woman is standing on the left, facing the viewer, with her head and gaze turned to the right, looking at the man. She is wearing an ochipok, or headscarf, tied in a turban. Her outfit consists of a short cape or jacket with a collar that fits tightly around her shoulders and has fasteners at the front, and a long, flared dress with visible folds. She may be wearing an apron over her dress. She is wearing shoes or boots with small heels. In her right arm, bent at the elbow, she holds a rectangular basket, possibly for shopping or groceries. The man looks straight ahead, dressed in a long kaftan or kontusz with trim, fastened at the chest, under which an embroidered shirt or camisole is visible. He wears a hat with a voluminous top on his head. His trousers are narrow, partially covered by his outer clothing. He is wearing boots or shoes. In his left hand, he holds a stick, which he apparently leans on when walking. The figures stand close to each other, slightly bent over, presumably engaged in conversation. Both characters have friendly expressions on their faces. They are standing in the middle of a dirt road. The background is not detailed, but there is a hint of vegetation, including trees and bushes. One can assume that these are two travellers or a couple in love who have gone for a walk in the countryside. The artist has captured the moment when the companions have made a short stop on their journey. 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 accuracy and detail of the 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