Muzeum Narodowe w Gdańsku, or the National Museum of Gdańsk, is a prominent branch of Poland's national museum system. Established in 1972, it boasts an extensive collection that spans various periods and artistic styles. The museum is housed in the old late-Gothic Franciscan monastery, which has been used for exhibits since the end of the 19th century....
The Museum Muzeum Narodowe (Gdansk, Poland)
Muzeum Narodowe w Gdańsku, or the National Museum of Gdańsk, is a prominent branch of Poland's national museum system. Established in 1972, it boasts an extensive collection that spans various periods and artistic styles. The museum is housed in the old late-Gothic Franciscan monastery, which has been used for exhibits since the end of the 19th century.
History
The history of Muzeum Narodowe w Gdańsku can be traced back to the third quarter of the 19th century when it was known as Danziger Stadtmuseum. The museum's core collection consists of the Jacob Kabrun collection, which includes several thousand pictures, drawings, and prints by European masters from the end of the fifteenth to the beginning of the nineteenth centuries.
After World War II, the town became Polish, and 65% of the main building of the museum was destroyed. Much of the museum's collections were lost, including all the numismatic exhibits as well as works of art from the Far East. The first post-war exhibition was opened in 1948, and the museum changed its name to "Pomeranian Museum in Gdańsk."
In 1956, Hans Memling's masterpiece Last Judgment returned to Gdańsk as well as part of the collections of paintings and prints. The Pomeranian Museum was later divided into several other museums, including the National Maritime Museum (1960), the Archeological Museum (1962), and the Gdańsk Historical Museum (1971). In 1972, it was renamed as the National Museum in Gdańsk.
Departments
The museum has seven departments:
- Department of Ancient Art: This department contains Hans Memling's Last Judgment.
- Department of Modern Art: Located in the Opatów Palace in Oliwa, this department houses the museum's collection of modern art.
- Ethnography Department: This department is located in the Spichlerz Opacki ("Abbot's Granary") and showcases the museum's ethnographic collection.
- Green Gate Department: This department is housed in the Green Gate, a prominent historical building in Gdańsk.
- Gdańsk Photography Gallery: This department showcases the museum's photography collection.
- Museum of the National Anthem in Będomin: This department is dedicated to the history and significance of the Polish national anthem.
- Museum of Szlachta Traditions in Waplewo Wielkie: This department showcases the traditions and culture of the Polish nobility (szlachta).
Directors
The museum has had several directors since its establishment, including Jan Chranicki (1948-1970), Janusz Wąsowicz (1970-1974), Jan Przała (1974-1980), Józef Kuszewski (1980-1983), Teresa Milewska (1983-1988), Tadeusz Piaskowski (1988-2004), Wojciech Bonisławski (2004-2019), and Jacek Friedrich (2020).
Visiting the Museum
Muzeum Narodowe w Gdańsku is a must-visit destination for art lovers and history buffs. The museum's extensive collection, spanning various periods and artistic styles, offers something for everyone. Visitors can explore the museum's seven departments, each showcasing a different aspect of Poland's rich cultural heritage.
The National Museum in Gdańsk,
Hans Memling - Last Judgment Triptych (open),
Muzeum Narodowe (Gdansk, Poland)The National Museum in Gdańsk,
Hans Memling - Last Judgment Triptych (detail) (23),
Muzeum Narodowe (Gdansk, Poland)The National Museum in Gdańsk,
Hans Memling - Last Judgment Triptych (detail) (17),
Muzeum Narodowe (Gdansk, Poland)The National Museum in Gdańsk,
Hans Memling - Last Judgment Triptych (detail) (16),
Muzeum Narodowe (Gdansk, Poland)The National Museum in Gdańsk,
Hans Memling - Last Judgment Triptych (detail) (15),
Muzeum Narodowe (Gdansk, Poland)The National Museum in Gdańsk,
Hans Memling - Last Judgment Triptych (central),
Muzeum Narodowe (Gdansk, Poland)