JAN MATEJKO (1838-1893), TWO PORTRAITS, JAN ŁASKI, JAN DZIADUSKI

woodcut, paper, 26 x 17 cm

two co-framed portraits, Jan Łaski, Jan Dziaduski: each portrait 26 x 17 cm clear passe-partout); common binding 38 x 48 cm
each signed with bound monogram "JM".

Drawings on woodcut plates were personally made by Jan Matejko, engraved by the most outstanding wood engravers of the time. The graphics come from the "Album of Jan Matejko" published in 1876 by Samuel Leventhal, who writes in the afterword, among other things, as follows: "The album included the finest paintings of the master, made in recent times; with the exception of reproductions of "Rejtan," "Ivan the Terrible," and "The Bard of the Lyricist," reproduced most faithfully by Messrs. [Julian] Maszyński and [Stanisław] Witkiewicz, according to photographs taken from the originals, all other works were drawn on wood by Matejko himself " [...] the execution of each of such woodcuts, such as. Stefan Batory, Sejm in Lublin , etc. required six months of time each, not counting the time used to draw them on wood [...].