TPSP's goal was to "shape the heart and disposition of the spirit towards the concept of absolute beauty, thereby developing in the nation a sense of order and harmony, without which true education, or civilization, is almost impossible."

Four decades after its original founding, using public donations and funds acquired from the sale of Artur Grottger, on 26 June 1899 the Society began construction of its own Palace of Art along the Planty Park, based on a design by Franciszek Mączyński.

After two years of meticulous construction, the gallery was ceremonially inaugurated on 11 May 1901 by the Mayor of Kraków, Count Edward Aleksander Raczyński.

[1] It was the first Art Nouveau building in the city, inspired by the Ancient Greek temples, with Apollo's sculpted head above its entrance, and Modernist reliefs on outside walls designed by Professor Jacek Malczewski from the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków.

In early 20th century, the Palace run by the Society became one of the main exhibition venues of the Young Poland movement.