The show, entitled Titian and Others, went on view on Friday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Culture Minister Piotr Gliński told reporters: “Polish museums have received many valuable exhibits in recent years. They include depictions of big events in Polish history and pieces by world-renowned artists.”
He added that the acquisitions were possible “thanks to grants from the Ministry of Culture and very generous support from donors and sponsors.”
Gliński said the government had spent over PLN 115 million (EUR 25.3 million) between 2016 and 2022 on new exhibits for Polish museums.
Titian's Allegory of Love
Gliński said that the Royal Wawel Castle “acquired some exquisite artworks over the past year, especially Allegory of Love by Titian, who is regarded as one of the most outstanding artists in history.”
He then unveiled the painting, dated to 1530-1540, which is a variant of Titian’s Allegory of Married Love held by the Musée du Louvre in Paris, the PAP news agency reported.
Deputy Prime Minister and State Assets Minister Jacek Sasin, who also attended the unveiling, thanked state-run companies for helping fund new exhibits for Polish arts institutions, which he said "are painstakingly rebuilding what we have lost during our turbulent history.”
Sasin said the government was working “to ensure that Polish museums and arts institutions can shine again, as befits a country with a big history, magnificent achievements and great culture.”
Breughel, Quinkhardt, Meissen porcelain
The Titian and Others exhibition also includes Paris Bordone’s acclaimed painting Diana and Callisto (ca. 1545), Jan Breughel the Younger’s masterpiece Charon’s Boat (ca. 1650-1675), and Jan Maurits Quinkhardt’s The Drawing Lesson (1762), which has been recovered after being lost during World War II, according to officials.
Another highlight are Meissen porcelain sculptures, including a life-size fox figure, one of just four such artworks in the world, the PAP news agency reported.
Titian and Others runs at Kraków's Wawel Castle until June 11.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, wawel.krakow.pl/en, gov.pl