Stanisław Wyspiański Monument
Kraków Artists: Painters and Sculptors
A monument on a small square next to the Main Building of the National Museum at Aleja 3 Maja 1, by Marian Konieczny, unveiled on 28 November 1982 on the 75th anniversary of the artist's death. On a granite plinth, as if frozen in the chocholi dance, a group of bronze figures from Wyspiański's plays - Jasiek, the Jew, the Chochoł, Stańczyk and Isia from "The Wedding", the Old Veteran from "Warsawianka" and Pallas Athena from "November Night" - surround a column on which a pensive Wyspiański stands in his characteristic Young Poland cape. The first funds for the monument came from the money left over after the building of the Grunwald Monument.
History
Stanisław Wyspiański, painter, graphic artist, designer and playwright, was born in Kraków in 1869 and died here in 1907. He studied under Jan Matejko and won great fame with "The Wedding" of 1901, written after the wedding of his friend Lucjan Rydel in Bronowice Małe. His most important plays also include "Liberation" of 1903 and "November Night" of 1904. He is sometimes called the fourth national bard.
The idea of a monument was first put forward right after the artist's death. Twenty years later all that had come of it was a committee, and on the 50th anniversary of his death the matter was revived. In 1977 the President of Kraków, Jerzy Pękala, made another attempt and obtained the consent of the Ministry of Culture. Several locations were considered: Holy Ghost Square next to the Słowacki Theatre and Szczepański Square, before a site by the New Building of the National Museum was chosen. The first competition in 1978 received 77 entries, yet the design chosen for construction was by Marian Konieczny, who had not taken part in the competition, while he himself sat on the building committee and the jury. Konieczny, a sculptor, was rector of the Kraków Academy of Fine Arts in 1972-1981.
The monument was unveiled on 28 November 1982, on the 75th anniversary of Wyspiański's death. On a granite plinth rises a column with the pensive artist in a characteristic Young Poland cape, and around it, as if caught mid-way through the straw man's dance, stand bronze figures from his plays: Pallas Athena from "November Night", the Old Soldier from "Warszawianka", and Jasiek, the Jew, the Straw Man, Stańczyk and Isia from "The Wedding". The casting was done by the Gliwice Technical Equipment Works. The monument stands on a small square next to the Main Building of the National Museum at 1 3 Maja Avenue.
Did you know?
The first money for the monument came from funds left over after the building of the Grunwald Monument.