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Ukraine's Zelenskyy inspired by Polish artist who chronicled freedom and liberty

Is a picture really worth a thousand words? Failed painter Adolf Hitler seemed to think so when he ordered his Nazi operatives to locate and destroy “The Battle of Grunwald,” a famous masterpiece by Polish painter Jan Matejko. The imposing canvas, created in 1878, depicted the 1410 victory of King Jagiello of Poland over an army of German Knights. 

Even as the neighboring country of Ukraine is fighting for its freedom, and millions of refugees are crossing the Polish border, Poland voted to make 2023 the year of Jan Matejko, and for a very good reason. Matejko’s art symbolizes the global struggle for national identity and independence from foreign rule. On larger-than-life canvasses, often imported from far-away Paris, this 19th-century painter recreated the most significant landmark events in Polish history. He did it to warm the hearts of his countrymen but also to ensure that they would never give up the fight for national freedom. 

One of Matejko’s creations recently caught the eye of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During his visit to the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Zelenskyy examined Matejko’s famous painting “Stephen Bathory at Pskov,” commemorating Bathory’s successful military campaign against Russia in 1580. That year, Ivan IV (commonly known as Ivan the Terrible) conceded defeat and sued the Polish King for peace. In this colorful allegory, Matejko shows Ivan’s envoys kneeling before King Bathory. The message for Zelenskyy was clear: Yes, Russia can be defeated. 

Zelenskyy in Poland.

Zelenskyy visiting the Royal Castle in Warsaw where he examined Matejko’s famous painting “Stephen Bathory at Pskov,” commemorating Bathory’s successful military campaign against Russia in 1580. (Kancelaria Prezydenta RP, Jakub Szymczuk)

Although famous and beloved in his native Poland, Jan Matejko is not so well known this side of the Atlantic.

Matejko’s genius was recognized in Europe early on, and it wasn’t long before he took charge of the Krakow School of Fine Arts. Wealth and celebrity followed. He had the resources, the knowledge and the passion to paint Poland back onto the map of Europe. A prolific artist, Matejko produced over 320 canvases, including “The Baptism of Poland,” “Sobieski at Vienna,” “Constitution of May 3. 1979,” “Kosciuszko at the Battle of Raclawice” and “Astronomer Copernicus or Conversations with God,” to name just a few. 

By the time the 10th century A.D. rolled around, being Pagan in Europe was no longer in vogue. Christianity had spread throughout much of the continent, and Mieszko the First, ruler of Poland, decided to bring his people up to speed with the rest of Christendom and baptize the entire nation.

He took a Christian princess, Doubravka of Bohemia, for his wife and on April 14, 966, was baptized along with his entire court. This event, known at the Baptism of Poland, is considered the birth of the modern Polish nation. The importance of it was not lost on Matejko. His colorful depiction of Mieszko’s christening stands as a reminder of Poland’s beliefs and traditions spanning over a thousand years now. This masterpiece can be found at Warsaw’s Royal Castle. 

Unfortunately for Poland, the neighboring powers of Prussia, Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire did not welcome the ideals of American style democracy. They began to see the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as a threat to their absolute grip on power, and Poland paid dearly for it. Turbulent times and subsequent partitions followed. To commemorate Poland’s long quest for freedom, Matejko painted “Kosciuszko at the Battle of Raclawice.” 

“Constitution of May 1791” by Matejko (1891). King Stanislaw August enters St John’s Cathedral, Warsaw, Poland. The painting depicts King Stanislaw Augustus together with members of the Grand Sejm and inhabitants of Warsaw entering St. John’s Cathedral in order to swear in the new national constitution just after it had been adopted by the Grand Sejm in the Royal Castle visible in the background. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images))

Tadeusz Kosciuszko was a hero of the American Revolution and the architect of West Point as well as a revolutionary in his own country. In his painting, Matejko chose to depict Kosciuszko wearing an American army uniform. After all, if America could win its independence against steep odds, perhaps Poland could as well. 

Battle of Raclawice

Tadeusz Kosciuszko after the Battle of Raclawice, 1888. Found in the collection of the Muzeum Narodowe, Krakow. Artist Matejko, Jan Alojzy (1838-1893).  (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images via Getty Images))

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, MARCH 16, 1802, UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY ESTABLISHED AT WEST POINT

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As for Adolf Hitler, he never got his wish. At the outset of World War II, Polish citizens managed to hide many of the nation’s most precious treasures.

“The Battle of Grunwald” canvas was carefully wrapped and buried under a layer of asphalt near the city of Lublin. The Nazis were never able to find it. 

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