Wladyslaw IV Vasa 

Jan Matejko made this drawing of Władysław IV Vasa, the King of Poland, sometime in the 19th century. This image tells us as much about Matejko's time as it does about Władysław's. Matejko lived in Poland during a period when it didn't exist as an independent nation. It had been divided up by its neighbors. In that context, historical painting served a vital public role, reminding people of their shared past and cultural identity. Matejko played a crucial part in this. Looking at his drawing, we see that Matejko is clearly interested in costume and setting as a means to imagine the past. But he also uses the image to construct a particular vision of Polish identity, one based on strong leadership. We can examine archives, political documents, and the history of Polish nationalism to understand better how Matejko's art was shaped by and intervened in the debates of his time.