The Jan Matejko Society

Jana Matejki) was an association active from 1895 to 1908, which aimed to acquire and transform Jan Matejko's birthplace and residence into a museum before transferring it to the Kraków municipality or a similar institution.

After Jan Matejko's funeral, Jagiellonian University Professor Marian Sokołowski suggested purchasing the artist's home to establish a museum.

The committee also included an executive branch responsible for purchasing Matejko's house, consisting of Marian Sokołowski, Piotr Stachiewicz, Tadeusz Stryjeński, and Franciszek Slęk.

[2] In March 1895, the executive committee, augmented by Konstanty Górski, drafted the statute of the Jan Matejko Society, which received approval from the Galician Viceroyalty in April.

[7] The Matejko House's grand opening and dedication were scheduled for March 6, 1898, with family members, government representatives, clergy, and artists in attendance.

The funds raised were earmarked for refurbishing the third floor, where Matejko's studio is located, and for establishing a new exhibition space showcasing sketches and photographs.

[9] This event was rescheduled for May 20. Notable attendees included Bishop Jan Puzyna, President Friedlein, Court President Czyszczan, National Museum Director Władysław Łuszczkiewicz, AU Secretary Stanisław Smolka, Kraków Conservator Stanisław Tomkiewicz, Professors Jerzy Mycielski and Piotr Bieńkowski from the Jagiellonian University, and Jan Stanisławski and Józef Unierzyski (Matejko's son-in-law) from the School of Fine Arts, as well as Secretary Gorzkowski.

Bishop Puzyna consecrated the house, beginning from Matejko's bedroom and proceeding through the salon, dining room, and office, following a guided tour by M. Sokołowski.

[17] Following the Kraków City Council's resolution approving the society's transfer of the Matejko House and its museum, it was arranged that the act of donation would be signed by President Marian Sokołowski, Secretary Stanisław Estreicher, and board member Adolf Sternschuss.