szkice ozdób do obrazu ‘Pogrzeb wodza Rusów’ 1881 - 1883

This sketch of ornaments for the painting ‘Funeral of a Ruthenian Chief’ was created by Henryk Siemiradzki in the late 19th century. The sketch, rendered in graphite, presents a series of ornamental designs characterized by their intricate detailing and structural clarity. The most striking element is the large circular necklace. Siemiradzki encircles the central space, and the artist explores symmetry and repetition through patterns and the arrangement of hanging pendants. Additional sketches display headpieces with vertical and triangular lines. Siemiradzki’s formal approach allows us to decode the cultural codes embedded in the artwork. The ornaments suggest a complex visual language with status, identity, and ritual. These ornaments aren’t mere decorations; they are carriers of meaning, each line and shape communicating aspects of Ruthenian society. The sketch invites us to interpret the historical and cultural narratives embedded in form and composition.