signed with bound monogram p. d.: JM;
two dry crest stamps l. g.;
on the reverse
Provenance:
private collection, Poland
Attached to the work is a separate, previously framed, description of the composition by an unknown author (in pencil).
The work has museum glass.
The drawing shows sketches of five heads of figures recognized as characters in the painting "Battle of Grunwald." They are: Jakub Skrabek of Gora - coat of arms Habdank, Kazmierz V - prince of Szczecin, Zyndram of Maszkowic - swordsman of Cracow, Konrad VII White - prince of Oleśnica, and Mikołaj Skunaczewski - coat of arms Powała. The composition is an attempt to theme and build characterization of the figures. Matejko created a general outline of the heads, making definite, lightly laid lines with pencil. He condensed sketches of various physiognomies on a small format of paper, which gives an insight into the artist's workshop.
A distinctive feature of Zyndram of Maszkowice's appearance, captured in one of Matejko's most famous paintings, is his dark, thick beard. On the eve of the battle, he was appointed by King Jagiello as the commander of the Polish army, and during the battle, he led the Kraków Land Ensign into battle. In the picture is the figure in the upper right corner of the composition.
Mikolaj Skunaczewski, with a prominent gray beard, in Matejko's oil painting is right next to the above-mentioned figure. After the battle was won, by the king's anointing, he delivered the news of the victory in Krakow. The artist placed the study of his head at the bottom right.
Conrad the White was an ally of the Teutonic Order. Interestingly, after losing the battle and escaping from captivity, he returned obedience to the Polish king and supported him militarily four years after the skirmish at Grunwald. Matejko in his famous composition depicted him with a scepter in his hand. With it he points to Vytautas Kiejstustowicz, Grand Duke of Lithuania. On the work in question, he can be seen in the lower left corner.
The next two figures: Kazmir V and Jakub Skrabek, both in the painting and according to historical data, directly met on the battlefield. In "The Battle of Grunwald" the scene is as follows: the former, on a black horse, wants to move to the relief of Ulrich von Jungingen, while the latter, aided by his squire, who holds the horse of the Duke of Stettin by the reins, tries to prevent him from helping the master of the order. In Matejko's drawing, the artist placed the studies of the heads of these figures at the top left and in the center of the composition.
The presented sketch is a valuable historical material. It remains especially worthy of collector's attention for lovers of the artist's artistic craftsmanship.
