Jan MATEJKO (1838-1893), Stefan Batory at Pskov, 1875-1876

woodcut, paper; 29.5 x 50 cm (framed), 44.5 x 64.5 cm (framed, passe-partout);
signed and dated in woodblock l. d.: JM [tied monogram] / 1875; signed by wood engraver in woodblock p. d.: J. STYFI.
The graphic comes from the publication "Album of Jan Matejko" published in 1876 by Salomon Leventhal. The drawings on woodcut plates were personally made by Jan Matejko, engraved by the most outstanding wood engravers of the time.
In his afterword, Lewental wrote: "The album included the most exquisite paintings of the master, made in recent times; with the exception of the reproductions of Rejtan, Ivan the Terrible and the Bard of the Lyricist, reproduced most faithfully by Messrs. Maszyński and Witkiewicz, according to photographs taken from the originals, all other works were drawn on wood by Matejko himself " [...] the execution of each such woodcut, such as. Stefan Batory, Sejm in Lublin , et al. required six months of time each, not counting the time used to draw them on wood [...].
Salomon (Franciszek Salezy) Lewental (1841-1902), Warsaw publisher and bookseller, founder of the weekly newspaper "Kłosy".