Jan Matejko was born in 1838 and died in 1893.He studied at the Fine Art School in Cracow, Munich and Vienna. He lived and worked in Cracow. Matejko traveled a lot and collected antiquities which he used later in his realistic paintings. He was the most outstanding Polish historical painter. On his canvases he introduced very important events and figures from the Polish history. For example, The 3^rd May Constitution. The inspiration to paint this picture was his strong desire to hang it in a room of the Polish Royal Castle someday in independent Poland.

The picture was painted in 1891.This oil-picture shows some events after the introduction of The 3^rd May Constitution.

In the picture Matejko represented a crowd of people. In the foreground we can see the marshal of the Polish Parliament, Stanislaw Malachowski. He is being carried by some men. In his palms he is holding the text of The 3^rd May Constitution which was passed a moment ago.

Next to the marshal we can see the Polish king, Stanislaw August who is clearly Indifferent to his memorable work.. He is going under a canopy where a lady is waiting for him.

In the foreground the artist showed one of the opponents of the document, who is threatening to kill his own son because he doesn’t want him to live in slavery which in his opinion the constitution will bring.

The 3^rd May Constitution 1791 was a principle law passed during the four-year seym, after the first partition of Poland. On the bases of the partition Prussia, Russia and Austria took some parts of the Polish and Lithuanian territory. This act of law was the first constitution in Poland and Europe and the second all over the world, after the American.

According to decisions of constitution Seym had to fulfill authority legislative. Its members where to be chosen every two years. Liberum veto, confederacies and free election were abdished and hereditary throne was introduced. Executive power was to be in the hands of the king, the primate and five ministers. Inhabitants of towns but only those possessing definite fortunes received laws and privileges of nobility. Peasants were accepted under care of law and the government. The army was to be increased up to one hundred soldiers. The constitution removed basic defects of the Polish political system, improved activity of Seym and government but on the other hand it didn’t change the situation of peasants it was however the proof that gentleman’s society could from its own initiatives implement a modern reconstruction of the state.

Although it never came into force because the opponents overthrew it [Confederation Targowica] together with Russia this constitution is for the Polish one of the most important acts of law ever resolved in the Polish history. In Europe it excited interest, admiration and fear.

At present on the day of resolution The 3^rd May Constitution we celebrate a national holiday.

Jola Przybyłowicz Justyna Kmiecik Ewelina Szymańska Anna Obstalecka

Jola Przybyłowicz
Justyna Kmiecik
Ewelina Szymańska
Anna Obstalecka