Dionizja Poniatowska—a “Woman Savant” from the Right-Bank Ukraine Cover Image

Dionizja Poniatowska – „sawantka” z Kijowszczyzny
Dionizja Poniatowska—a “Woman Savant” from the Right-Bank Ukraine

Author(s): Elżbieta Nowicka
Subject(s): Studies of Literature
Published by: Instytut Badań Literackich Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Dionizja Poniatowska, de domo Iwanowska; Polish Romanticism; emigration; the Ukraine; woman in social life; biblical anthropology

Summary/Abstract: Dionizja Poniatowska, de domo Iwanowska (1816–1868), was a woman philanthropist, author of press articles and historical papers, who originated from Podolia. She was interested in literature and history, socialised with artistic circles in Poland and on emigration, and known by many the then writers (e.g. Teofil Lenartowicz, Zygmunt Krasiński), though is linked primarily with Bohdan Zaleski with whom she established a long-lasting friendship authenticated by a correspondence of over 30 years. The letters present Poniatowska as a woman of acute intelligence and increased sensitivity placed on firm ethical basis. Among the many threads and subject raised in the correspondence, special attention is occupied by women. Poniatowska formulated postulates connected with social elevation of woman significance derived from Biblical anthropology. In this respect she is close to the concepts put forward by Cyprian Norwid.

  • Issue Year: 111/2020
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 161-178
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Polish