The Collection
The collections of the National Museum in Krakow number almost 780 000 objects. Of these over 300 000 belong to the collection of the Princes Czartoryski Museum and Library which is managed by the National Museum in Krakow. There are artefacts from every period of history. The oldest exhibits in the Museum date from prehistoric times, though these are limited in number as the Museum does not usually collect archaeological artefacts, with the exception of classical archaeology. The Museum also possesses a separate collection of ancient art, recent works acquired from contemporary artists, and collections of medieval and modern art from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The core of the collection is Polish art (painting, sculpture, drawing, decorative art), though there are also numerous western European works, a collection of religious art related to the Orthodox Church, and an extremely valuable collection of oriental art, mainly from Japan. Besides works of art the Museum also collects library collections (including old prints, manuscripts and cartography), numismatics and historical photographs. A particularly interesting department is the Studio of the Iconography of Krakow with its collection of historical views and photographs of the city.
Most of the Museum's collections were acquired through donations, mainly during the period of partitions and the twenty-year interwar period. Major donations were made by Feliks Jasienski, Count Emeryk Hutten-Czapski, Erazm Baracz, Stanislaw Ursyn-Rusiecki, Wiktor Wittyg, Edward Goldstein, Helena Budzynowska née Dabczanska, Stanislaw August Poniatowski and many others.
The Museum's collections are divided among twenty-one departments, each of which collects items of a particular type (e.g. the Numismatics Room). The collections are made available to the public in permanent and temporary exhibitions. Artefacts which are usually kept in the Museum's stores are also made available for research purposes.
The core of the collection is Polish art (painting, sculpture, drawing, decorative art), though there are also numerous western European works, a collection of religious art related to the Orthodox Church, and an extremely valuable collection of oriental art, mainly from Japan. Besides works of art the Museum also collects library collections (including old prints, manuscripts and cartography), numismatics and historical photographs. A particularly interesting department is the Studio of the Iconography of Krakow with its collection of historical views and photographs of the city.
Most of the Museum's collections were acquired through donations, mainly during the period of partitions and the twenty-year interwar period. Major donations were made by Feliks Jasienski, Count Emeryk Hutten-Czapski, Erazm Baracz, Stanislaw Ursyn-Rusiecki, Wiktor Wittyg, Edward Goldstein, Helena Budzynowska née Dabczanska, Stanislaw August Poniatowski and many others.
The Museum's collections are divided among twenty-one departments, each of which collects items of a particular type (e.g. the Numismatics Room). The collections are made available to the public in permanent and temporary exhibitions. Artefacts which are usually kept in the Museum's stores are also made available for research purposes.
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Joachim Lelewel - Photogallery of the leading works of the exhibition11 photos
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Wyspiański. Unknown9 photos"Wyspiański. Uknown" shows Stanisław Wyspiański works and belongings which are exhibited for the very first time.
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Militaria in the NMK collections19 photosThe National Museum in Krakow is in the possession of the second largest collection of old weapons and uniforms in Poland. The most valuable exhibits, memorabilia of historical figures and works of decorative art are normally presented at the permanent exhibition "Arms and Uniforms in Poland". This exhibition, however, constitutes only a foretaste of the impressive museum collections.
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Picturesque Landscapes18.07.2016 17 photosThe second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century was the period of flourishing landscape painting. Nature was promoted to become the main theme of works.
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Motherhood26.05.2016 14 photosTake a look at the gallery of works from the collection of the National Museum in Krakow whose main theme is motherhood.
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Images of Women in Japanese Painting and Woodblock prints30.12.2016 10 photosIt is the first time in the history of Polish exhibitions that we are presenting impressions from the world of a Japanese woman whose images, immortalised in paintings and woodblock prints, reveal some secrets of the Floating World, including intimate scenes behind the screen.
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Adam Asnyk Mementoes12.12.2016 12 photosThere are very few mementoes of Adam Asnyk – a poet, journalist, insurgent, Tatra climber, activist, Member of Parliament and Krakow councillor – preserved in Polish collections.
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The Passion themes in the NMK collections21.03.2016 16 photosIn the Holy Week we would like to invite you to the historic interiors of the Bishop Erazm Ciołek Palace – an NMK branch located at no. 17 Kanonicza Street, which showcases the works of Polish medieval and modern art referring, among others, to the themes of the Passion.
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Gloria in Excelsis Deo21.12.2015 18 photosThe collection of the National Museum in Krakow contains a large number of works featuring Christmas motifs.
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How to dress the Child01.12.2016 18 photosDuring Advent and Christmas, we pay particular attention to the depictions of the Madonna and Baby Jesus. In most of them, the Infant is naked. The National Museum in Krakow boasts a fine collection of baby garments. So why don't we imagine that the Child is dressed?
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Twilights12.12.2016 15 photosThe twilight – gathering earlier and earlier – inspired us to find those works from the collections of the National Museum in Krakow that could express the atmosphere of winter melancholy. Here's what we were able to spot.
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Our finest Teacups01.12.2016 21 photosMost of us probably have our favourite mug or cup. To be honest, the collections of the National Museum in Krakow don't contain many mugs, but cups are extremely numerous. We'd like to show you our favourites.
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Images of Death01.11.2016 13 photosIn remembrance of the exhibition organized by the National Museum in Krakow in the year 2000, and All Saints' Day which falls on November 1, we would like to present a selection of works of art from our collections which illustrate the broader topic of death.
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Old prints on medal-making from the NMK collection22.08.2016 11 photosThe NMK collection of old prints on the theme of medal-making comprises over 300 items. Selected objects will be displayed in successive parts of the exhibition titled ‘DE RE NUMMARIA’ in the Emeryk Hutten Czapski Museum.
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Henryk Siemiradzki (1843–1902)29.07.2016 7 photosSiemiradzki was a Polish painter, best remembered for his monumental Academic art.
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Scenes from the life of a Legion soldier22 photosThroughout the period of his service - from 1914 to 1918 - Stanisław Janowski, a soldier of the Second Brigade of the Polish Legions, in his photographs and drawings documented the Legions' fights, mainly those of the Second Brigade and 2nd Uhlans' regiment. While looking at the digitized set of war photographs, we see his remarkable camera operating skills. His photos almost resemble paintings or drawings.
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Birds from our collection25.07.2016 24 photosInspired by the exhibition titled 'Max Ernst. An Ornithologist’s Dreams' at the International Culture Centre, we decided to fish out some birds lurking in the collections of the National Museum in Krakow. Here are some of those we managed not to shoo away.
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Unusual dose of art01.10.2015 21 photosOur series titled "Unusual dose of art" presents a selection of works from our impressive collection.
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Sculpture portraits by Xawery Dunikowski24.11.2015 7 photos24 November 2016 marked the140th anniversary of the birth of Ksawery Dunikowski (1875-1964) – a sculptor and painter.
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Self-portraits by Jacek Malczewski15.07.2016 9 photosJacek Malczewski (15 July 1854 – 8 October 1929) is one of the most popular polish painters and draftsmen. He is regarded as father of Polish Symbolism.
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Seascapes04.07.2016 18 photosThe seaside was not only a popular destination for summer holiday, but also a great theme for painters.
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