History of Civilization in Poland
History of Civilization in Poland is a cycle of twelve oil sketches on canvas and wood, created by the Polish nominal painter Jan Matejko in 1889 with accompanying commentaries. The originals are kept at the Museum of the Royal Castle, Warsaw.
History
Matejko created his series along with an accompanying commentary in part to fulfill a set of research requirements for his new academic title, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa, which he received from the Jagiellonian University. Much of the imagery of the cycle has been inspired by the lectures of historian Józef Szujski which Matejko might have attended around 1877–1878, or read in print afterward.The works in the series
The cycle consists of the following paintings:| # | Title | Image |
| 1. | Zaprowadzenie chrześcijaństwa 1889, oil on wood panel, 79cm x 120cm | |
| 2. | Koronacja pierwszego króla 1889, oil on wood panel, 71cm x 105cm | |
| 3. | Przyjęcie Żydów 1889, oil on canvas, 76cm x 112cm | |
| 4. | W Łęczycy pierwszy sejm - Spisanie praw - Ukrócenie rozbojów 1888, oil on wood panel, 74cm x 110cm | |
| 5. | Klęska Legnicka - Odrodzenie 1888, oil on wood panel, 74.5cm x 109.5cm | |
| 6. | Powtórne zajęcie Rusi - Bogactwo i oświata 1888, oil on wood panel, 79.5cm x 110cm | |
| 7. | Założenie Szkoły Głównej przeniesieniem do Krakowa ugruntowane 1889, oil on wood panel, 79.5cm x 62cm | |
| 8. | Chrzest Litwy 1889, oil on canvas, 60cm x 115.5cm | |
| 9. | Wpływ Uniwersytetu na kraj w wieku XV - Nowe prądy - Husytyzm i Humanizm 1889, oil on wood panel, 69cm x 116cm | |
| 10. | Złoty wiek literatury w XVI wieku - Reformacja - Przewaga katolicyzmu 1889, oil on wood panel, 69cm x 107cm | |
| 11. | Potęga Rzeczypospolitej u zenitu - Złota wolność - Elekcja 1889, oil on canvas, 72.5cm x 113cm | |
| 12. | Konstytucja 3 maja - Sejm Czteroletni - Komisja Edukacyjna 1889, oil on wood panel, 79cm x 120cm |