Artwork
Konarski torturowany w celi więziennej
Konarski torturowany w celi więziennej is a watercolor painting by Jan Matejko. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.
About this work
Overview
Jan Matejko's watercolor Konarski torturowany w celi więziennej (circa 1850) is an early historical work by the prominent 19th-century Polish artist, deviating from his later signature large-scale oil paintings.
Subject & Meaning
The piece depicts the torture of Szymon Konarski, a 19th-century Polish activist, within a prison cell, highlighting Matejko's interest in dramatizing Poland's historical struggles.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor, the work features a soft, muted palette, contrasting with the harshness of the torture scene. A torch in the foreground intensifies the dramatic tension, set against a dimly lit, stone-walled background.
History & Provenance
Created in Matejko's early career, the watercolor reflects his formative engagement with historical themes. It is currently part of the collection at the National Museum in Kraków.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Alojzy Matejko (Polish pronunciation:; also known as Jan Mateyko; 24 June 1838 – 1 November 1893) was a Polish painter, a leading 19th-century exponent of history painting, known for depicting nodal events from Polish history.
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