Wnętrza mieszkalne mieszczan krakowskich w XVII i XVIII wieku

Abstract

THE INTERIORS OF CRACOW BURGHERS’ HOUSES IN THE 17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES

It is inherent in human nature to modernize and change furnishings of interiors of their homes, which results in a complete obliteration of a cultural picture in that field. A reconstruction is possible only to a certain extent, with a certain probability, using written sources, iconography and the items which survived to the present time. No source is complete in itself, and needs to be verified or compared with other sources.
An interior of a dwelling house reflects every-day and cultural life. The 17th century, an era of the sarmatyzm (old-Polish style), favoured the national style based on Polish tradition in art. In the house interiors, the style manifested itself the use of traditional beam-framed or casetone ceilings, covered with polychromy, not specially originally decorated, and painting the edges under the ceiling, as it used to be done in preceding centuries. It was also manifested the use of old forms of furniture, such as shelves, benches, and other painted basic furniture. Primarily the style was reflected in the liking for colourful polychromies and decorative tapestries. In the 17th century the walls were often covered with ranges of tapestry or gores of a two-colour tapestry hanging down on the walls. Painted or wood-printed paper and canvas hangings (koltryna) were also popular.
Rich decoration of walls and ceilings was enhanced by a wide use of rugs, carpets, kilim tapestries and embroidered tapestries.
The furniture was varied. New pieces of furniture were added to the old ones. Traditional local furniture, including shelves, attached-to-the-wall benches, side-boards, chests, and other simple painted pieces of furniture, stood side by side with Gdańsk furniture, massive and richly decorated in the baroque style (characteristic features of the Gdańsk furniture were well established around 1700).
Beds were different in type; they ranged from simple painted beds manufactured by local carpenters, to large upholstered couches or posted beds, sometimes very richly decorated, used by wealthy burghers.
The 18th century brought many changes in interiors of residential houses. Propagating foreign influences (of Dresden, France and England) suppressed olden tastes and tradition. Since the housing culture had increased, the demand for more sophisticated furniture was born. A range of new types of furniture was developed. The interiors began to differ according to their use. Local cabinet-making developed, including Kolbuszowa workshops. Large amounts of furniture manufactured there reached Cracow. The character of polychromy used for interior decoration was also changing. Its role increased, and as the ranges of hangings began to be out of fashion, the whole walls started to be covered with polychromy. Decorations responded to the new trends in art. In the mid-18th century the walls were decorated with rococo motives, while in the last quarter of the 18th century classicist pantings became popular, using decorative motives, landscapes and allegory, or scenes of ancient history.
Furniture in wealthy burgher’s houses was also diverse in the 18th century. The Gdańsk-type furniture, characterized by traditional, Baroque shape was used until the end of the century. However, in time, their design started to be lighter, and the rococo style manifested itself, mainly in the decorations. The Ludwików furniture went along with the Gdańsk furniture. The furniture painted ‘marble’ or green, red and blue, was also fashionable. New types of furniture appear, such as corner cupboards, writing desks, sofas, popular chests of drawers, various kinds of small tables and poster beds, including a Saxon-type bed, called in France lit á la Polonaise.
New, fashionable furniture replaced gradually the old one, at first in more representational rooms. Slowly Polish interiors were losing their traditional old-Polish character.