The postcard is in the shape of a horizontal rectangle and reproduces Jan Matejko's painting "Reception of the Jews in Poland in 1096". The artist painted it as part of the cycle "The History of Civilization in Poland", thanks to the support of Arnold Chaim Rappaport, a Kraków-based lawyer, financier, and politician (http://malarstwo-historia.blogspot.com/2011/02/jan-matejko-przyjecie-zydow-rp-1096.html, accessed on 15 February 2021). The depicted scene is set in a specific place and time, with the participation of historical figures, however, it never actually happened. Matejko depicted the reception of Jewish settlers by Prince Władysław Herman and granting them charters. The event is shown against the backdrop of the Romanesque cathedral in Płock and its distinctive portal, with its famous bronze door visible. In the centre of the painting, slightly to the right, Prince Władysław Herman sits in a purple robe, with his head resting on his hand, surrounded by dignitaries and family members. In the centre of the composition, there are sons of the ruler, Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed and Zbigniew.
In the foreground, a child sits with an outstretched hand. In the right corner, servants hold a barking dog. On the left, there is a group of Jews, above whom flies a red banner with the emblem of Poland, and even higher, pigeons soar (a symbol of peace). The renowned traveler Benjamin of Tudela, who most likely never visited Slavic countries, kneels in front of the prince, with outstretched arms. The other Jews are also depicted in a pleading gesture, in a deep bow In the middle of the group stands a proud bearded rabbi wearing a fox fur hat and holding a large Torah scroll.
The painting is executed in warm colours, predominantly browns, with accents of black. Light highlights the important figures of the composition. The reverse side of the postcard contains the publishing address: "Salon Malarzy Polskich w Krakowie, Ser. 173/3., Akropol Kraków".
The original painting is housed in the National Museum in Warsaw, and an oil sketch is located in the National Museum in Lublin.
The postcard was donated to the collection of the District Museum in Leszno in 2014 by pr. Szczepan Jan Szymandera, a parish priest and antique collector from Pruśce near Rogoźno Wielkopolskie. The former owner purchased it at an online auction.
Dariusz Czwojdrak
