Kazimierz I Odnowiciel 

This is Jan Matejko’s drawing of Kazimierz I the Restorer. It presents us with a study in contrasts, mainly articulated by the interplay of light and shadow. Matejko masterfully uses chiaroscuro to model the figure of Kazimierz, casting his face and hands in light, drawing our eye to his thoughtful expression. The linear quality in the detailing of the garments and the crown create a dynamic contrast with the broad tonal areas of the background, setting up a tension between surface and depth. The composition is vertically oriented, emphasizing Kazimierz’s commanding presence. The objects on the table in the foreground—the book and the cross—are not merely props. They act as symbolic elements that reinforce the historical context of the ruler’s identity. This drawing exists as a set of signs, which, when decoded, invite us to look at the figure of Kazimierz not just as a portrait, but as an intersection of history, identity, and representation. The artwork prompts ongoing interpretations of cultural and philosophical narratives.