Art Project

JAN MATEJKO AND HIS MASTERPIECE

In 1878 Matejko painted another picture meant to "put heart" into the Poles. This was The Battle of Grunwald, which recalled one of the most important events in Polish history, that is, the defeat of the power of the Teutonic Knights. On 15 July 1410, on the battlefield of Grunwald, the united Polish and Lithuanian forces under King Ladislaus Jagiello routed the Teutonic Knights who had been a threat to both Poland and Lithuania. It took Matejko three years to complete The Battle of Grunwald. The canvas, brought from France, was one huge piece with no seams, measuring 997 by 426 cm. It is the largest of Matejko's paintings and it is regarded as a masterpiece of battle scene painting.Two figures are visible in the centre of painting :the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, Ulrich von Jungingen, who is fighting with two young Lithuanian warriors, and the Grand Duke of of Lithuania, Viatautas, galloping, his naked sword raised high. Moreover on this scene is depicted the king of Poles W³adys³aw Jagie³³o who is put on the right upper corner - sitting on his horse and observing the stiff battle from a hill.

Interestingly, The creator of “The Battle of Grunwald”- Jan Matejko shows his face on this scene, but he didn’t take part in the battle.

 

Wersja Angielska

Archiwum - rocznik 2003/2004

Archiwum - rocznik 2004/2005

Rocznik 2005/2006

strona g³ówna szko³y