Karton do polichromii Kościoła Mariackiego - Godło łuczników

Executed in a realistic manner, the drawing showcases Matejko’s precise draftsmanship and careful modeling of light and shadow. The muted palette and attention to anatomical detail reflect the artist’s broader realist practice, while the clear delineation of forms anticipates the eventual polychrome treatment on the church wall.

Prepared as a design for the basilica’s interior, the card was part of a series of projects Matejko undertook for Kraków’s churches. Although Matejko passed away in 1893, the drawing was completed in 1895, likely by his workshop or assistants, and remained within the archives of St. Mary’s Basilica.

The work belongs to a period when Matejko, renowned for grand historical canvases, also contributed to liturgical art. The heraldic motif of the archers’ coat of arms links the piece to local patronage and the tradition of integrating civic symbols into sacred spaces.

As a surviving preparatory study, the card provides insight into Matejko’s process of translating a heraldic emblem into a monumental mural. It illustrates the intersection of historical painting and ecclesiastical decoration that characterized late‑19th‑century Polish art.