The exhibition is an expression of respect for legend and tradition in a year that marks the two hundredth anniversary of the coronation of Emperor Napoleon I. This event proved immensely important as, on the one hand, it marked the closure of the French Revolution, and on the other, it opened the way toward the realization of Bonaparte's bold plans that would ultimately change the face of Europe.

The exhibition NAPOLEON I POLACY / NAPOLEON AND THE POLES is an expression of respect for legend and tradition in a year that marks the two hundredth anniversary of the coronation of Emperor Napoleon I. This event proved immensely important as, on the one hand, it marked the closure of the French Revolution, and on the other, it opened the way toward the realization of Bonaparte's bold plans that would ultimately change the face of Europe.

A prominent French historian once stated that Poland "is more Napoleonic than France." This comment may seem paradoxical and exaggerated, but there is clearly something in the fact that only the Poles sing about Bonaparte in their national anthem. The figure of Napoleon is often the source of disputes, and assessments of his actions and attitudes toward Poland and the Poles remain a point of discussion, with opinions ranging from full adoration to sharp criticism. Independent of these disagreements, Napoleon nevertheless was of great service to the Poles, and his greatest service remains the re-introduction of the Polish issue to European politics.

This exhibition is a joint endeavor of the National Museum in Krakow and the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw. It will mark the first time anyone has succeeded in assembling such a varied, comprehensive and abundant collection of national artifacts. The items and works on view derive from the collections of the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw, the National Museum in Krakow and the Museum and Library of the Czartoryski Princes. Additional paintings have been loaned from the National Museum in Warsaw, the Museum of Wilanow Palace Gallery, the National Museum in Poznan and the State Archive of Early Documents in Warsaw.

Items from the Czartoryski Collection have been accorded a special place in the exhibition. Even though the Czartoryski family numbered among Napoleon's opponents, Princess Izabela Czartoryska held the patriotic actions of Poles serving under the Emperor in high esteem. It is in the Czartoryski family collections that we find mementoes of Henryk Dabrowski, Karol Kniaziewicz and Prince Jozef Poniatowski - and among the latter, some highly important mementoes of the prince's death on the battlefield at Leipzig. Polish officers who served under Napoleon enriched the Czartoryski Museum in Pulawy with gifts that included trophies they had brought back from various battlefields.

The exhibition is also designed to remind viewers of Poland's historical links with France. For centuries, Poland was an important partner for France in the realm of international politics, while French science, literature and art strongly influenced these realms of creativity in Poland. It was also France that welcomed Polish exiles after failed national uprisings. The exhibition represents an opportunity to remind viewers of concepts that were so alive in the Napoleonic era, concepts like patriotism and honor, conviction to which was confirmed time and time again through sacrifices and blood spilt.

The display at the Arsenal of the Museum of the Czartoryski Princes will be arranged according to chronological and thematic criteria. Paintings and engravings will illustrate important events of the age, and alongside the main protagonists - Napoleon Bonaparte and Prince Jozef Poniatowski - the display will highlight other important Polish figures of the time through displays of their uniforms, weapons, medals, personal mementos, documents and personal letters. The exhibition will present the Polish army as reborn under Napoleon, its armaments and the beauty of its uniforms, mementos and trophies from the various campaigns that were fought.

The Czartoryski Museum
Muzeum Czartoryskich
Oddział Muzeum Narodowego w Krakowie
ul. Św. Jana 19, 31-017 Kraków
ul. Pijarska 8 (Arsenał), 31-015 Kraków
Manager: mgr Tadeusz Dziurzyński
tel. (+48 12) 422 55 66, 292 64 60
fax (+48 12) 292 64 64
www.muzeum.krakow.pl

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