Abstract:
Part of the collections of the Archive of Polish Academy of Sciences is the heritage of the artist-painter
Roman Szwoynicki. His archive is small but very diverse. It includes biographical materials, correspondence
and materials related to the owner’s artistic work, and consists of printed and manuscript documents, as well
as photos and pictures. Greater part of them constitutes a bound book, „Silva rerum“.
The Szwoynicki materials come from years 1542–1925. The oldest document is an ancestral privilege
written on parchment. On its reverse there is the Szwoynicki family tree. The latest document is a press
clipping with a photo of Roman Szwoynicki as disciple of Wojciech Gerson. The collection includes some
interesting art works, such as pictures, sketches and workshop notes. Humorous poems by the artist are
of equal interest. Most of them were written for friends on such occasions as social rounds, name days or
birthdays. Amongst biographical materials, there are original photos and photographic reproductions.
They mostly show scenes from the exile to Siberia. A very interesting part of the collection is the artist’s
outgoing and incoming correspondence with the family and friends. It includes a letter from Henryk Sienkiewicz
containing an invitation to a family council meeting.
The diversity of the heritage of Roman Szwoynicki perfectly reflects the many-sidedness of his life. He
hailed from Samogitia, took part in the January uprising, was exiled to Siberia, became student to Wojciech
Gerson and received recognition in wider circles of the Warsaw society.
The archive is a valuable source on the fates of the gentry after the January uprising and their customs at
the turn of the 20th century. The materials include much information on the Warsaw artistic and literary
environment of that time. The archive demonstrates the artist’s strong connections with Lithuania and
Samogitia.
