When most tourists think of the Sukiennice, Jan Matejko and his large historical canvases immediately come to mind. That’s understandable — Matejko is an icon of Poland’s nineteenth-century painting. But the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art in the Sukiennice is a much broader collection: sculpture, academic painting, landscape, realism and the experimental tendencies of the turn of the century.
If you take a moment to walk calmly through the four main rooms (Bacciarelli, Michałowski, Siemiradzki and Chełmoński), you’ll find works that tell different stories — intimate, provocative, technically superb, and often overlooked during quick Market Square visits.
In this article I’ll invite you on a walk among the less obvious works in the Sukiennice: I’ll point out paintings and sculptures worth your attention, tell you where to look for them and give practical tips for making the most of your visit.
Large historical compositions draw the eye and the headlines, but smaller or less publicized works often offer other pleasures: brushstroke traces, subtle color harmonies, interesting portraits of everyday people, and works by women artists who have long remained in the shadows.
Understanding the gallery’s layout — divided into rooms and currents — helps you discover connections between artists, inspirations and the social transformations of the nineteenth century. That makes even the 'less famous' paintings start to speak loudly.
For the visitor it’s also a chance for a more intimate museum experience: smaller paintings are often less crowded, and in front of them you can engage in a longer visual conversation with the work.
Anna Bilińska-Bohdanowicz — Self-portrait with a palette. A telling work by a woman artist from the late nineteenth century: calm, technically accomplished and important for the history of women in art. Look at how the artist presents herself — it’s more than a portrait; it’s a professional statement.
Piotr Michałowski — 'Seńko' (portrait of a horse). Michałowski is a master of animal painting; his works are rich in dynamism and anatomical study. Pause by the smaller studio studies that reveal his drawing skill and command of painterly means.
Wojciech Korneli Stattler — 'The Maccabees'. A monumental biblical composition that today might seem like a historical curiosity, but at the time it had huge artistic and pedagogical significance. Observe the gestures and use of light — it’s a lesson in academic composition.
Aleksander Gierymski — 'Girl from Bronowice' (and 'Peasant from Bronowice'). Gierymski could combine realism with dramatic lighting; his smaller portrait works hide subtle social and psychological observations.
Józef Chełmoński — 'Four-in-Hand' and other pieces. Although Chełmoński is recognizable, his less-reproduced canvases often contain exceptional insights into rural life and brushwork specifics that are best read in person.
Pius Weloński — 'Gladiator' (sculpture). The Sukiennice also present sculpture — look beyond the paintings to three-dimensional works that naturally change how light and shadow are perceived.
Władysław Podkowiński — 'Ecstasy' (Szał uniesień). This painting often surprises visitors with the boldness of its subject and format. Its expression and color reflect the tensions of the turn of the century.
Maurycy Gottlieb — 'Ahaswer'. A less obvious choice than the major historical canvases, yet an excellent example of subtle narrative and attention to detail.
The gallery in the Sukiennice is organized thematically: each of the four main rooms bears the name of an important artist and carries its own narrative. Understanding this structure helps you locate less obvious works: the Bacciarelli Room includes Enlightenment influences, the Michałowski Room presents romantic and national themes, the Siemiradzki Room shows academic tendencies, and the Chełmoński Room focuses on realism and nature-related subjects.
As you move between rooms, pay attention not only to the large compositions but to groups of smaller canvases — tiny masterpieces and works by lesser-known names often appear there, and their technique deserves attention.
The exhibition has been modernized to show artistic processes and currents, not only 'museum hits' — take time to read the contextual labels; they help connect works into a coherent story.
Come outside peak hours: early morning right after opening or late afternoon. Tuesdays are often free for permanent exhibitions — a great option, but it can attract crowds; if you want quiet, choose another weekday outside the weekend.
Allow 60–90 minutes. You can 'fly through' the Sukiennice in 20 minutes, but it’s worth spending more time on a few paintings — especially the smaller ones that reward careful looking.
Do not use a flash when photographing and follow museum rules. Many visitors take photos from too close and don’t leave space for others; sometimes it’s better to photograph a detail and then step back to view the whole work from a distance.
Read labels and dates. Small pieces of information on wall labels (date, materials, dedications) often reveal a work’s history and help you understand it better.
Look for works by women and less-promoted artists — Anna Bilińska and other women painters are often omitted from the 'top 5' photos, but deserve appreciation.
Can I take photos? Generally you may photograph without flash, but check the information at the ticket desk or the entrance — some temporary exhibitions may have different rules.
How much time do I need? One to one and a half hours is enough for a calm walkthrough with time to stop at a few favorite works. If you want to read every label and take many photos, plan for more time.
Is it worth hiring a guide? Official guided tours and museum educators run tours of the collection — this is a great option if you want reliable stories and contexts quickly and thoroughly.
Common visitor mistakes: limiting yourself only to the 'famous' paintings and skipping smaller works and sculptures. Another mistake is lack of preparation — a quick stop between walks around the Market Square doesn’t allow for real discovery.
After leaving the Sukiennice it’s nice to rest in one of the well-rated cafés or restaurants nearby. Look for cozy cafés serving freshly brewed coffee and local pastries — perfect for a moment of reflection after the art.
A few good options near the Market Square include atmospheric cafés tucked in the streets around the Main Square, popular places serving modern Polish cuisine and classic patisseries. Choosing venues with solid reviews will help end your museum visit pleasantly.
If you plan a longer stay in Kraków, the Market Square area also offers restaurants with international and traditional Polish menus — booking ahead for weekend evenings is often a good idea.
The Sukiennice are not only a gallery: the building has a centuries-long history as a center of trade and social life, which adds contextual layers to the exhibition — the paintings hang in a place that is itself part of Kraków’s urban story.
The collection includes artists representing very different currents: from classicism and academic art to symbolism and experimental tendencies of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries — it’s a great place to see how Polish art evolved.
Some works that are less promoted today were once true academic breakthroughs and have fascinating dedications or acquisition stories — little clues you can discover on the labels next to the works.
Choose a weekday morning right after opening or a late afternoon slot. The museum is often closed on Mondays, and Tuesdays are frequently free — if you want silence, avoid the free day. Check the museum’s official site for current hours and any exhibition changes.
Start with the rooms that are usually less frequented — you’ll often see the most there in peace. If you have a list of 'pearls', visit them first before guided groups arrive.
Avoid weekend peaks and large events on the Market Square — then the whole area becomes much busier and less comfortable for a calm visit.
The Sukiennice are a place where grand works are accompanied by subtle masterpieces — simply slow down your pace and you’ll notice them. Give yourself time, turn away from the crowd and let the smaller paintings tell their stories.
If you’d like to explore deeper, look for guided tours run by museum educators or consider a guided visit that will show connections between works and share local anecdotes. Official museum tours are a good starting point.
Share this text with friends who might appreciate an off-the-beaten-path guide to the Sukiennice. If you’d like to tour Kraków with an experienced guide, consider contacting Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
