Sketch of the ruins of the castle in Smoleń 1860

Józef Simmler sketched the ruins of the castle in Smoleń with pencil, capturing a fragment of Poland's layered past. Simmler lived during a time when Poland was partitioned, a period of national struggle and cultural revival. This sketch is of a gothic portal and transcends mere architectural documentation, as it evokes a sense of longing for a lost heritage. The choice to depict ruins resonates with the broader Romantic movement's fascination with the past, and its ability to evoke powerful emotions about national identity. The deliberate act of sketching these ruins becomes a poignant act of cultural preservation. What do these stones whisper about power, resilience, and the passage of time? It invites us to consider how physical structures hold memories and shape collective identity.