Sketches of figural compositions – the scene inside a manor house and the scene with a diviner 1840 - 1850

Józef Simmler created these sketches of figural compositions—one inside a manor house and another with a diviner—using pencil, though the exact date remains unknown. The scenes here offer us a glimpse into the social dynamics and belief systems prevalent in 19th-century Poland. Simmler, working during a time of political upheaval and national identity formation, appears to be exploring themes of community, domestic life, and perhaps even the supernatural. The manor house scene suggests gatherings and social rituals within the Polish gentry, while the scene with the diviner hints at the importance of folk beliefs and spirituality, separate from institutions, in the cultural landscape. To truly understand these sketches, we need to delve into the cultural history of 19th-century Poland, consulting literary sources, historical documents, and studies of folk customs to uncover the meanings embedded in these images. Art, after all, is always a product of its time, reflecting and shaping the world around it.