Stefan Muthesius Knihy

Outside Poland, its art and architecture remain largely unknown. While some may recall images of Cracow or Warsaw, many associate Silesia and Baltic cities with German rather than Polish art. Such views are superficial, as the Gothic architecture of Western and Northern Poland represents just a fraction of the diverse regional schools in Europe. The Renaissance art of Danzig was primarily influenced by the Netherlands, and much of central Poland's art, including the so-called "Polish Renaissance," was imported from Italy, with 18th-century art drawing from France and landscaped gardens from Britain. The question of whether there is a distinct "Polish Art" is complex and parallels inquiries about "German Art" and that of other nations. Since the late 18th Century, efforts have been made to define certain artistic forms as distinctly Polish, beginning with national events and traditional dress. This movement coincided with German assertions of "Germanness" in art. The book delves into Polish art history and the political debates surrounding it, supported by over 300 illustrations. It highlights the self-contained nature of Polish cultural nationalism, explaining why this is the first foreign work on Polish Art. The contents include discussions on Gothic architecture, the Polish Renaissance, and the evolution of art from the late 18th to the 20th century.

Dies ist das erste (und bisher einzige) von einem Nicht-Polen verfasste Buch über die Geschichte von 1000 Jahren Kunst in Polen. Eingangs schildert der Autor die Rolle der (polnischen, französischen und deutschen) Kunsthistoriker in der nationalen Frage. Ausführliche Literaturhinweise machen den Band zum Handbuch. Muthesius gelingt es, sehr gegensätzliche Aspekte zu bedenken, etwa den regionalen, den nationalen, den europäischen, den Weltkunst- und den Herrschafts-Kunst/Volkskunst-Aspekt. „Es ist so müßig wie historisch unangemessen – und leider immer noch verbreitet –, Polen gleichsam jegliche geistigen Eigentumsrechte an solchen Werken abzusprechen. ein sehr mutiges und insgesamt geglücktes Unterfangen.”

Explores the interplay of social forms, technological advances, and creative achievements that gave rise to various building types in the Victorian age