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.
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.
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