The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship includes two research visits. My first research visit was at the National Museum in Warsaw (NMW).
The NMW was founded in 1862 as the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the oldest art museums in Poland. The current museum complex was built in 1927-1938. Its collection is encyclopaedic: paintings, drawings, prints and photographs, sculptures, furniture, silverware, porcelain and ceramic, glass, textiles, jewellery etc. from ancient times to the present and from a wide geographical area.
Faras Gallery in Warsaw.
Of special importance is the Professor Kazimierz Michałowski Faras Gallery, which displays a unique collection of wall paintings (8th – 14th century) of the cathedral in Faras, which was excavated in 1961-64 by a Polish team under direction of Prof. Michałowski. The other half of the paintings is preserved in the Sudan National Museum in Khartoum.
The purpose of this visit was to learn about museum (policies of) presentation, museum education and the various methods of engaging the public in the museum. The NMW-Education Department coordinator Anna Knapek had organized a comprehensive programme.
Anna and Urszula
Anna, Urszula Król, art historian, coordinator of the programme for teachers and high schools, Sylwia Bielicka, coordinator of the volunteer programme and Maciej Marciniak – archaeologist, responsible for audioguides and educational programmes, guided me through the museum, explained and discussed the museum’s policies, told me about the enthusiasm and dedication of museum educators and volunteers and responses of the public. The museum has a wide range of specially designed programmes and courses for all age groups.
With Anna in the Faras Gallery
The Faras Gallery was reopened in 2014 after a thorough renovation. All paintings were re-conserved and the new presentation echoes the placement of the paintings in the cathedral. This is also the first department of the NMW where there is now a tailor-made tour for visually impaired visitors, with models and copies that can be touched and explored.
Cross with Christ surrounded by the Four Living Creatures from Faras Cathedral. Strings of small bells are suspended between the cross arms. 11th century.
Simplified drawing of the cross printed in relief for visually impaired visitors.
It was a very inspiring week. Anna, Urszula, Silwia and Maciej have made me feel welcome and have devoted much time to making me acquainted with the museum and its departments as well as to discussing all kind of topics that came up. I would like to say a very big “Thank You!”