"Cunctis Patet Ingressus" - "To all, admission is open" These words, embedded in bronze letters in the marble of the floor, greet every visitor to the first in Warsaw and Polsce public museum "Grand Gallery called Museum", opened back in 1805, on the initiative of the heir, Wilanów Stanislaw Kostka Potocki. The reigning monarchs, Polish nobility and aristocracy, statesmen and scholars collected collections of works of art at their own expense, and this fact determined the public character, resources and stature of modern museology. The passion of the last King Stanislaw Poniatowski made it possible to create rich collections of paintings, sculpture, numismatics, medals, graphics and works of applied art. The king's intention was to pass them on to the nation. The collapse of statehood derailed the possibility of the formation of a public museum institution for years. Today we have many respectable museums in the capital. However, Varsovians have always valued the opportunity to interact with paintings or sculptures on a daily basis. That's why next to these treasures of national culture we can find smaller and larger galleries in Warsaw, allowing less formal contact with art. These include, for example, an open-air gallery displaying photographs on the parkland of the Lazienki Park along Ujazdowskie Avenue. In many cafes we can not only order dessert, but also choose and buy a painting hanging on the wall. The galleries at the Center for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle attract not only interesting exhibitions, but also happenings, film screenings and avant-garde concerts that take place there. They are worth visiting, as they give an idea of the richness and diversity of Polish national culture. And contemporary artwork can be a wonderful souvenir of your stay in Warsaw.
Michal - 06.08.2008
