Portrait of Edward Raczynski 

Jacek Malczewski painted this portrait of Edward Raczynski at the turn of the 20th century in Poland. Look closely, and you'll see that Raczynski is surrounded by mythical figures from Polish folklore. Malczewski was part of the Symbolist movement, which rejected the strictly realist approach in favour of exploring psychological states through symbolic imagery. In Poland, this often translated into art that subtly promoted national unity despite the country being divided amongst Russia, Prussia and Austria-Hungary. Here, Raczynski, a prominent cultural figure, is depicted in a dreamlike state, surrounded by spirits of Polish history and legend. Malczewski evokes a sense of national identity rooted in shared cultural heritage. Understanding the historical context, and the artist’s intentions, helps to reveal the complex social role that art played in turn-of-the-century Poland. We, as art historians, interpret the meaning of art through close visual analysis and archival research. This enables us to understand the social and institutional context that shaped it.