Wyniki badań techniki malarskiej wczesnych obrazów Jana Matejki przedstawiających portrety Serafińskich z kolekcji Muzeum Narodowego w Krakowie w odniesieniu do późniejszej twórczości artysty
OUTCOME OF THE RESEARCH ON THE PAINTING TECHNIQUES OF EARLY PAINTINGS BY JAN MATEJKO DEPICTING PORTRAITS OF THE SERAFIŃSKI FAMILY FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM IN KRAKOW IN RELATION TO THE ARTIST’S LATER WORK

Summary/Abstract: The article presents comparative conservation research on four portraits by Jan Matejko (1838–1893) from the National Museum in Kraków, dated 1856–1870. Non-invasive methods—including XRF, Raman spectroscopy, infrared reflectography, ultraviolet fluorescence imaging, and X-radiography—were used to trace the development of the artist’s technique. Early portraits are characterised by smooth surfaces, simple backgrounds, and a limited palette based on lead white, earth pigments, and cobalt blue. Later works display richer colours, varied textures, freer brushwork, and new pigments, including cadmium yellow and organic dyes. Combined with historical sources, the analyses reveal Matejko’s progression from academic discipline to a mature, individual style distinguished by technical mastery and psychological depth.

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