On the National Substance. The Role of the Diet of Galicia and Lodomeria and National Department in Preserving Jan Matejko’s Heritage

Abstract

The paper discusses the relations between the Galician autonomy authorities, particularly those of the National Department, and Jan Matejko, the most prominent 19^th-century Polish painter. These relations reached their climax when the Galician Sejm purchased a collection of items of national significance which belonged to the artist. Noticeable efforts were made during the establishing and subsidizing the museum in Cracow which was named after Jan Matejko. In addition, the paper describes the contribution of the National Department to the preparation of Jan Matejko’s funeral. The description relies on the material – previously not explored – stored in the State Archives of Lviv. The paper sheds a new light on the previously unknown facts illustrating the attitude assumed by the Galician autonomy authorities toward the Galician 19^th-century national art.