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The Main Building of the National Museum in Krakow continues to display the exhibition titled 'Maria Mater Misericordiae', which accompanied the World Youth Days. It presents works by prominent Italian, French, Dutch and German artists active in the period from the 14th to the 18th century, whose main theme was centered around the figure of Mary the Mother of Mercy.
In Poland, where the cult of the Blessed Virgin is particularly alive, the image of Mary – Mother of Christ and Mother of Mercy – is very deeply rooted. The National Museum in Krakow possesses numerous valuable works which feature her image.
Let us see how the portrayals of Mary changed in paintings, prints and drawings by such prominent Polish artists as Jan Matejko, Józef Mehoffer, or Leon Wyczółkowski.
Text: Joanna Zawierucha-Gomułka – an editor in the New Media Department. Looks after the contents and visual aspects of the NMK website.
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Feliks Cichocki, Blessed Virgin Mary the Spinner property: NMK
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Józef Mehoffer, Our Lady of Sorrows property: NMK
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Vlastimil Hofman, Concert, 1920 This work is an example of religious painting which combines the tradition of Marian depictions with new religious and aesthetic trends at the turn of the century. It portrays Madonna devoid of her attributes of holiness, as a poor, barefoot common girl, dressed in a highlander's coat, holding the infant Christ, who is playing the flute.
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Author unknown, The bust of the Blessed Virgin Mary property: NMK
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Author unknown, The Blessed Virgin Mary on a Crescent property: NMK
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Leon Wyczółkowski, The Blessed Virgin Mary from the Altar by Stoss plate from: 'The Anniversary Portfolio of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Krakow', [Krakow] 1926-1927
property: NMK
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The Blessed Virgin Mary and Child, an alabaster figurine property: NMK
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Piotr Stachiewicz, Making Wreaths (Our Lady of Herbs) property: NMK
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Jan Matejko, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary property: NMK
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An epitaph plaque (on the reverse: Our Lady the Protector of the Faithful) property: NMK
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Józef Mehoffer, The Blessed Virgin Mary and Child with St Anthony property: NMK
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The Blessed Virgin Mary and Child from the church in Krużlowa Wyżna, c. 1410
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A white embroidered pall – The Blessed Virgin Mary and the symbols of the invocations from the Litany of Loreto property: NMK
