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Palace of Arts in Krakow (Pałac Sztuki)

Krakow is known as the art capital of Poland – and the presence of a Palace of Arts isn't at all surprising. The magnificent fin de siècle edifice stands on 4 Szczepanski Square, right in center of Krakow's Planty Park, across the street from another museum – the Bunker of Arts.

A Palace of Arts in the City of Arts

But there is one more thing to art and artists in Krakow – it's the lifestyle. Back in the 19^th century, Cracow had perhaps the biggest density of artists per square meter – if an 'artist' can be understood by a person in a black cape – worn not only for the style, but also to cover the holes in the suit – and a black hat with a particularly large brim – incredibly stylish, but also hiding uncut hair. But who could afford a tailor or a barber if money was needed for an intense nightlife and, from time to time, a brush, some paint or simply paper to write on?

There were some more decent Krakow artists, perhaps, but a large number of them were starving and had financial problems. They decided to solve them by forming a society, and so they did in 1854. The Society of Fine Arts Friends was open to artists and non-artists alike, on the condition – they had to pay for 'shares', and those who did were entitled to participate in a lottery, in which either original works of the Krakow artists (like the Stanczyk by Jan Matejko) or their reproductions were to be won.

One of the main problems encountered by the Krakow Society of Fine Arts Friends was to find a residence. First, they rented a few rooms in the Sukiennice from the Krakow authorities, but it clearly wasn't enough. After a long struggle, the Society of Fine Arts Friends managed to buy a plot near the Szczepanski Square and the Planty Park from the Krakow Magistrate (they payed with Artur Grottger's series of paintings – Lithuania), and, with never ending financial problems, they managed to finish what is now the Palace of Arts in 1901.

The Edifice of the Palace of Arts

The Palace of Arts was Krakow's first art nouveau building, its design based on the Vienna Secession Pavilion. Quite a few references to Antique art are also present – like the giant radiant head of Apollo. It was considered a true work of art by the more liberal part of the Krakow public, and virtually loathed by the conservatives. Time has shown that the first ones were much closer to being right: the beautiful building, ornamented by some of Poland's greatest artists, like Jacek Malczewski, who worked on the frieze, and decorated with the busts of some other famous Krakow artists, like Stanislaw Wyspianski, is worth giving a closer look.

Exhibitions in the Palace of Arts

Now, the Palace of Arts remains an important and prestigious exhibition venue. It usually presents high class art as well as more commercial exhibitions. Those who prefer mostly contemporary art, should pay a visit to the Bunkier Sztuki.