Jew, Pole, Legionary 1914-1920

The exhibition depicted life stories, attitudes and work of Jewish members of the Piłsudski’s Polish Legions, and the history of Jewish civilians residing on Polish territories occupied by various enemy countries. The exhibition shed light on complex Polish-Jewish relations at the time of Poland regaining its independence: during the First World War, battling for the Polish borders, and the Polish-Bolshevik war in 1920.

The exposition consisted of sculptures, paintings, and graphic art, as well as examples of artwork at the service of war and military propaganda – posters, proclamations, postcards and projections of films propagating Polish military action. It also comprised of little-known images of German and Austrian war photographers, commemorative legionary rings, and an original uniform.

Leopold Gottlieb, one of the most interesting Polish-Jewish artists in the first decades of the 20th century, as well as a soldier of the First Brigade, was one of the exhibition protagonists. While both on the front lines and at its rear, he produced several hundreds of drawings depicting Legions’ commanders (including several portraits of the brigadier Piłsudski) and his comrades in arms. Gottlieb also documented scenes of legionary life.

• The exhibition was open from 25 July until 3 October
• Open daily, except for Tuesdays, 10 am – 6 pm
• Tickets: 12 PLN full price, 8 PLN reduced