Description

The Cracovian seat of the Society of Friends of Fine Arts referred to as the Palace of Fine Arts, built in the years 1898-1901 according to Franciszek Mączyński’s design. The construction of the edifice is to some extent modelled on the exhibition pavilion of the Viennese Secession but it is more traditional. Two storeys are erected on the stone pedestal separated by pilasters in the giant order. The facade is located in the western part. A type of a portico surrounded by Ionic columns and topped with a gable is in front of the main entrance. The frieze around the building presenting an artist's changing fortunes constitutes the most original element. It was designed by Jacek Malczewski and made by Jan Iwan from Vienna under Włodzimierz Tetmajer's supervision. The frieze appears on the northern wall where two marches spread into two directions - one on the eastern side depicting the life of an artist being a success and the other one on the western side showing the life of an artist broken and defeated by the Arts. The busts of prominent Polish artists including Jan Matejko and Stanisław Wyspiański added in 1957 were placed on the elevations in the niches.

Was designed by

• Mączyński Franciszek

City

• Kraków

Relations