Jan Matejko (1838–1893) was a Polish painter celebrated for monumental historical canvases that defined national identity in the 19th century. Born in Kraków, he studied at the School of Fine Arts there and later in Munich and Vienna. Matejko’s work fused meticulous historical research with dramatic composition, producing canvases populated by multitudes, theatrical gestures, and symbolic detail. His masterpieces—such as the Battle of Grunwald, Rejtan, and numerous scenes of Polish kings and uprisings—became visual anchors for Polish memory during partitions when the nation lacked sovereignty. As a professor and later rector at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, he influenced generations of Polish artists and helped professionalize art education. Critics praised his narrative power and patriotic fervor, though some accused him of theatricality; still, his paintings drew mass audiences and secured institutional commissions and state recognition. Beyond history painting, Matejko produced portraits, sketches, and studies of costume and architecture that reveal his scholarly rigor. He blended patriotism, pedagogy, and theatrical spectacle to create images that educated and galvanized public sentiment. Today his canvases remain central fixtures in Polish museums, continuing to provoke study for their artistry, symbolic complexity, and enduring cultural significance. His influence extends beyond Poland to Europe.