This exhibition, presented as part of the 'InterNationalgalerie' series at Berlin's Alte Nationalgalerie, showcases eight selected works from the National Museum in Warsaw's collection. It explores Poland's cultural and political history, art, and artists' lives over three centuries, from the 19th century to the present day.
As part of the new 'InterNationalgalerie' series, the Alte Nationalgalerie is hosting exhibitions from national galleries and museums worldwide, inviting them to present their collections in a dedicated space. This year, the National Museum in Warsaw inaugurates this cycle, posing questions about how institutions interpret their historical heritage to shape future museum practices and how they contextualize their collections for evolving programs and challenges. The exhibition, titled 'Inventing Myths' (Wymyślanie mitów), features eight works selected by Agnieszka Lajus, the Director of the National Museum in Warsaw, in consultation with Anette Hüsch, Director of the Alte Nationalgalerie. These selected pieces narrate the changing cultural and political landscape of Poland, as well as themes of freedom, art, and the lives of artists from the 19th century to the present.
Among the featured works is Jacek Malczewski's "Hamlet polski – Portret Aleksandra Wielkopolskiego" from 1903, a significant piece by the renowned Polish Symbolist painter. The exhibition is accompanied by a complimentary brochure containing an interview and essays by Agnieszka Lajus and Anette Hüsch, further delving into the themes and context of the presented collection.