Sketch for the painting “Wernyhora”

The central figure, likely the legendary Cossack poet‑prophet Wernyhora, stands with his right arm uplifted and his left hand pressed to his forehead, evoking a moment of prophetic vision. He is dressed in a simple white shirt and brown trousers, his long beard emphasizing his age and mystique, while surrounding figures and a luminous full moon suggest a nocturnal gathering of listeners.

Matejko employs chiaroscuro to dramatize the scene, allowing moonlight to carve deep shadows across the figures. Visible brushwork lends a textured surface, revealing the sketch’s exploratory nature and the artist’s focus on tonal contrast and atmospheric effects.

Created as part of Matejko’s systematic preparation for his large‑scale history paintings, the sketch reflects his Realist commitment to Polish historical narratives. It remained in Matejko’s studio before entering the National Museum in Warsaw, where it is displayed as an example of his compositional planning.

During the 19th century Matejko emerged as a leading interpreter of Polish history, producing monumental canvases, portraits, illustrations, and church murals. This sketch belongs to the same body of work that sought to visualize pivotal national moments, reinforcing a cultural identity through visual storytelling.