Project : Art in Poland

Panorama of Racławice

„Panorama of Racławice” is a huge oil painting , which shows the panorama of the battle of Racławice. It was designed in 1893-94 mainly by Jan Styka and Wojciech Kossak on the occasion of Kościuszk`s insurrection centenary. Panorama is about 15 meters high and 120 meters wide. It is stretched on a round wall (radius about 38 meters). Artificial terrain, which gives illusion of reality, was modeled between the canvas and the viewing platform. “Panorama of Racławice” was exposed in Lwów since 1894. During military operations in 1944 it was partly damaged. It has been in Wrocław since 1964. This big painting with landscape and battle scenes gives viewers the illusion of depth.

On 1^st of the April 1794 Tadeusz Kościuszko, the leader of the insurrection, started his march to Warszawa. In the morning of 4^th April 1794 the insurrection army fought a battle against Russian invaders. On this painting Tadeusz Kościuszko is in the under of Polish troops. He is giving order his scythmen to fight. Kościuszko, wearing white peasant`s russet overcoat, is showing the direction of offensive. This painting is so big that it is impossible to describe all its parts. Kościuszko`s insurrection was mainly carried out against Russia later also against Prussia. The insurrection was organized after the second partition of Poland. It covered greater part of lost Polish grounds. On 24^th of March “Act of Insurrection” was announced Kościuszko`s insurrection. Despite of many won battles, the in insurrection failed, Tadeusz Kościuszko was taken prison. Kościuszko`s insurrection was important in the history of Poland because it was a trial to regain independency.

 Michal Manka

Lukasz Czocher