The Collection
The collections of the National Museum in Krakow number almost 780 000 objects. Of these over 300 000 belong to the collection of the Princes Czartoryski Museum and Library which is managed by the National Museum in Krakow. There are artefacts from every period of history. The oldest exhibits in the Museum date from prehistoric times, though these are limited in number as the Museum does not usually collect archaeological artefacts, with the exception of classical archaeology. The Museum also possesses a separate collection of ancient art, recent works acquired from contemporary artists, and collections of medieval and modern art from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The core of the collection is Polish art (painting, sculpture, drawing, decorative art), though there are also numerous western European works, a collection of religious art related to the Orthodox Church, and an extremely valuable collection of oriental art, mainly from Japan. Besides works of art the Museum also collects library collections (including old prints, manuscripts and cartography), numismatics and historical photographs. A particularly interesting department is the Studio of the Iconography of Krakow with its collection of historical views and photographs of the city.
Most of the Museum's collections were acquired through donations, mainly during the period of partitions and the twenty-year interwar period. Major donations were made by Feliks Jasienski, Count Emeryk Hutten-Czapski, Erazm Baracz, Stanislaw Ursyn-Rusiecki, Wiktor Wittyg, Edward Goldstein, Helena Budzynowska née Dabczanska, Stanislaw August Poniatowski and many others.
The Museum's collections are divided among twenty-one departments, each of which collects items of a particular type (e.g. the Numismatics Room). The collections are made available to the public in permanent and temporary exhibitions. Artefacts which are usually kept in the Museum's stores are also made available for research purposes.
The core of the collection is Polish art (painting, sculpture, drawing, decorative art), though there are also numerous western European works, a collection of religious art related to the Orthodox Church, and an extremely valuable collection of oriental art, mainly from Japan. Besides works of art the Museum also collects library collections (including old prints, manuscripts and cartography), numismatics and historical photographs. A particularly interesting department is the Studio of the Iconography of Krakow with its collection of historical views and photographs of the city.
Most of the Museum's collections were acquired through donations, mainly during the period of partitions and the twenty-year interwar period. Major donations were made by Feliks Jasienski, Count Emeryk Hutten-Czapski, Erazm Baracz, Stanislaw Ursyn-Rusiecki, Wiktor Wittyg, Edward Goldstein, Helena Budzynowska née Dabczanska, Stanislaw August Poniatowski and many others.
The Museum's collections are divided among twenty-one departments, each of which collects items of a particular type (e.g. the Numismatics Room). The collections are made available to the public in permanent and temporary exhibitions. Artefacts which are usually kept in the Museum's stores are also made available for research purposes.
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The most beautiful paintings by Olga Boznańska11 photosOlga Boznańska (1865–1940) is one of the most unique and appreciated Polish artists in the world. Her works represent Polish art in many exhibitions in Poland and abroad.
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The Gallery of Decorative Art5 photos
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Interiors of 'Palace under the Cones'13 photosThe Józef Mehoffer House, called 'Palace under the Cones' [Pałac pod Szyszkami], is located at no. 26 Krupnicza Street and represents a 'museum/house of the artist' formula, in this case featuring impressive, authentic interior design.
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Józef Mehoffer – a versatile artist11 photosJózef Mehoffer (1869–1946), Jan Matejko's student and Stanisław Witkiewicz's peer, is one of the most prominent artists of the Young Poland movement, active also in the interwar period.
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Architectural sculpture from the collection of MNK18 photos
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The collections of the Jan Matejko House12 photosJan Matejko (1838-1893) was the creator of large-format paintings on historical themes and of highly valued portraits. Many of them can be admired in the Gallery of 19th- Century Polish Art in the Sukiennice.
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Cabinet numismatic treasures10 photos
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Military old prints in the NMK collections8 photosPriceless copies of old prints and cartographic objects from the NMK collections can be admired in the Czapski Palace. The items are exhibited in the 19th-century private library – one of the few preserved fully equipped rooms of this type.
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Treasures arts and crafts12 photosIn the Gallery of Decorative Art at the National Museum in Krakow, which is located in the Main Building (2nd floor) we will find a rich collection of unusual objects from the early Middle Ages to Art Nouveau. This is a selection of several objects that impress with their style, form and precision.
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Ancient art collections at the National Museum in Krakow11 photosThe ancient art collection belonging to the Princes Czartoryski Foundation constitutes a set of various objects originating from Mediterranean cultures. According to the assumptions of the collection creator – Prince Władysław Czartoryski, the exhibits represent a broad spectrum of handicrafts allowing to deepen the knowledge about ancient art and enjoy the beauty of the objects themselves.
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Sukiennice - Zbiory16 photos
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Exhibits from the Potocki family deposit in Krzeszowice5 photosA set of marble statues purchased by Artur and Zofia Potocki in 1830 in Rome first went to Pałac pod Baranami [Palace under the Rams] in Krakow, then to their family residence in Krzeszowice, and next – in difficult wartime conditions – it was transferred to the Princes Czartoryski Museum and deposited there thanks to the efforts of curator Pelagia Potocka.
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