Temporary exhibitions
The Collector: Ignacy Korwin-Milewski (1846–1926)
17 April – 13 September 2026
The National Museum in Warsaw is currently preparing an exhibition dedicated to Count Ignacy Korwin-Milewski and to the painting gallery that he curated. The year 2026 will see the 180th anniversary of the birth and the 100th anniversary of the death of the esteemed collector and patron of Polish culture, which has already provided an impulse to foreground his achievements. The aim of our exhibition is to showcase the reconstructed collection which – in the wake of the Count’s demise – was dispersed.
Originally, it contained approximately 250 paintings. Korwin-Milewski expertly amassed his collection over the course of 30 years (1880–1910). He commissioned Polish painters – fellow graduates of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, where he himself studied for five years. Over the years to come, he cultivated the many friendships with artists made there, extending his patronage to some of them. The artistic level of the gallery curated by Korwin-Milewski is evidenced by the following masterworks: Jan Matejko’s Stańczyk, Józef Chełmoński’s Indian Summer, Aleksander Gierymski’s The Feast of Trumpets or Jewess with Oranges.
Characteristically, the collection featured a set of figurative paintings (primarily self-portraits) by the artists most cherished by Korwin-Milewski. Jan Matejko’s self-portrait headed the list. Korwin-Milewski’s selection is a testament to his unparalleled ability to assess the artistic value of the works he purchased. Time, an arbiter of taste and fashion, only reinforced the quality of his collection. Most of his paintings are indelible masterpieces that have entered the canon of Polish painting.
Originally, it contained approximately 250 paintings. Korwin-Milewski expertly amassed his collection over the course of 30 years (1880–1910). He commissioned Polish painters – fellow graduates of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, where he himself studied for five years. Over the years to come, he cultivated the many friendships with artists made there, extending his patronage to some of them. The artistic level of the gallery curated by Korwin-Milewski is evidenced by the following masterworks: Jan Matejko’s Stańczyk, Józef Chełmoński’s Indian Summer, Aleksander Gierymski’s The Feast of Trumpets or Jewess with Oranges.
Characteristically, the collection featured a set of figurative paintings (primarily self-portraits) by the artists most cherished by Korwin-Milewski. Jan Matejko’s self-portrait headed the list. Korwin-Milewski’s selection is a testament to his unparalleled ability to assess the artistic value of the works he purchased. Time, an arbiter of taste and fashion, only reinforced the quality of his collection. Most of his paintings are indelible masterpieces that have entered the canon of Polish painting.
Curator: Renata Higersberger
Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
Museum Patrons:
PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna
ORLEN
Museum Partners:
Totalizator Sportowy
KPMG
PKP Intercity
Cooperation:
AkzoNobel