Hidden Meanings

Take a journey into the world of art, where nothing is as it seems at first glance. Look carefully at the objects and then start your own investigation. What is the object used for? Who or what does it represent? What is it made of? Do not ignore every little detail, because everything can have a meaning. It will be discovered by someone with a detective’s mind. So, what are your ideas?

Created by:

Renata Pernak

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All birds pay tribute to the Feng bird pair

Castle Museum in Łańcut

What I see:

Red fabric on which birds are depicted among flowers and trees. Two of them are clearly larger. Their species is difficult to identify.

All birds pay tribute to the Feng bird pair

Castle Museum in Łańcut

Investigation:

The clue in the investigation are bird species. Interestingly, they are not found in nature, but come from Chinese mythology. They were phoenixes named Feng (male) and Huang (female). According to local beliefs, phoenixes were the most powerful of all birds and lead the entire kingdom. For this reason, other birds, such as the kingfisher, swallow and eagle, worshipped them.

All birds pay tribute to the Feng bird pair

Castle Museum in Łańcut

All birds pay tribute to the Feng bird pair

Castle Museum in Łańcut

Discoveries:

The pair of phoenixes facing each other was actually an allegory for the Emperor and Empress of China. The majestic birds presided over their world, just like the emperor and his wife ruled over their people. The other birds were the courtiers: officials, artists and scholars. This representation was popular in China at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries – the fabric comes from this period.

All birds pay tribute to the Feng bird pair

Castle Museum in Łańcut

Saucer

Castle Museum in Łańcut

Saucer

Castle Museum in Łańcut

What I see:

A small saucer in the shape of half a peach. On a greenish background we see three bats.

Saucer

Castle Museum in Łańcut

Investigation:

In Europe bats are associated with darkness and gloom. Some believe that their appearance heralds death. It is not without reason that bloodthirsty vampires can turn into these mammals. So why were bats painted on a utilitarian object that could be used, for example, in the dining room? They are colourful and have no resemblance to sinister creatures.

Saucer

Castle Museum in Łańcut

Saucer

Castle Museum in Łańcut

Discoveries:

This saucer was created in a place where bats have a different symbolism. All because in Chinese the words “bat” and “luck” sound the same. Bats are therefore attributed with miraculous powers. For example, if you give someone a saucer decorated with an image of this mammal, it means that you wish them good luck.

Pensive Christ

National Museum in Lublin

What I see:

A grieving man supports his head with one hand. He supports his leg on a human skull. The statue was made of wood.

Pensive Christ

National Museum in Lublin

Investigation:

The crown placed on the man’s head does not resemble a royal attribute – it looks like it was made of twigs. This leads us to the crown of thorns, which, according to the biblical story, was placed on Christ before his crucifixion. This figure is indeed reminiscent of other images of Christ, known, for example, from churches. However, we usually see these sculptures in roadside shrines made by folk artists. It is there that we find all the answers.

Pensive Christ

National Museum in Lublin

Pensive Christ

National Museum in Lublin

Discoveries:

This sculpture is known in folk art as the “Pensive Christ”, meaning “troubled”. Many researchers believe that it represents the moment before the crucifixion, when Christ reflected more on the fate of all people, instead of his own. This is evidenced by the skull, which refers to the human mortality. It emphasises – in line with the Bible – that Christ became man to redeem human sins.

Pensive Christ

National Museum in Lublin

Martwa natura z szynką

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

Martwa natura z szynką

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

What I see:

Several objects lie on the table decorated with a tablecloth. These range from utensils, such as goblets and plates, to food, including ham and lemon.

Martwa natura z szynką

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

Investigation:

The presence of many ornamented dishes, e.g. a gilded goblet with a cover and a silver glass, makes us think that such a table could be found only in a very wealthy house. The painting was made in the 17th century, when a lemon visible on the plate was considered a luxury. But why does the painter show us an overturned jug, partially peeled fruit, leftover food and breadcrumbs? Why does he not show an orderly table?

Martwa natura z szynką

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

Discoveries:

The author thus pointed out that all luxury items and rarities served us only for a short time. However, it is not about the time of eating a given meal, but about the length of our lives. The painter therefore askes us specific questions: Is it worth focusing on luxury items and a full belly? Is it not better to focus on being a good person?

Jug with personification of element of water

National Museum in Szczecin

What I see:

A large vessel in the shape similar to a jug, richly decorated with floral, animal and human elements.

Jug with personification of element of water

National Museum in Szczecin

Investigation:

Let us begin to recognise the individual elements from the base, the foot of the vessel. Five fish with big eyes are placed there. The fish are pointing downwards, as if flowing down the wave. Higher up, in the most convex part, attention is drawn to the horses emerging from the emerald water. Above them, a man can be seen sitting on a shell, holding a reins in his hands. The old man looks off into the distance, as if trying to spot a mermaid emerging behind the harness. Who is this man?

Jug with personification of element of water

National Museum in Szczecin

Jug with personification of element of water

National Museum in Szczecin

Discoveries:

This is how the Roman mythology described Neptune, the god of the sea, who moved about in a horse-drawn chariot. The ornaments thus illustrated the element of water and the ruler taming it.

Jug with personification of element of water

National Museum in Szczecin

Soap bubbles

Castle Museum in Łańcut

Soap bubbles

Castle Museum in Łańcut

What I see:

Clock decorated with a figure of a boy and a young girl. Both have wings. They are busy blowing soap bubbles.

Soap bubbles

Castle Museum in Łańcut

Investigation:

At the feet of a boy with wings lies a container filled with arrows for a bow. This is the so-called quiver. Therefore, this is not a biblical angel, rather the mythological Amor, otherwise known as Cupid. So, who is his winged companion? She is certainly Psyche, with whom Cupid fell in love. One of the Greek myths tells of this. But why are they engrossed in blowing soap bubbles?

Soap bubbles

Castle Museum in Łańcut

Soap bubbles

Castle Museum in Łańcut

Discoveries:

Nothing here is accidental. The clock measures time and makes us aware that, as time passes, so does human life. In view of the billions of years of the planet’s existence, our sojourn on Earth is just a moment and the blink of an eye. It is like a soap bubble that quickly disappears. So, this clock reminds us of the passing of time.

Wisior

Museum of the history of Polish Jews

What I see:

Small object with a star symbol.

Wisior

Museum of the history of Polish Jews

Investigation:

The same representation, called the Star of David, is on the flag of Israel. It symbolises Judaism, the religion professed by Jews. Over the centuries Jews have settled in many parts of the world, including very large numbers in Poland – today they live mainly in Israel. Why has this star become the symbol of the Judaic religion and the Jewish nation? Let us take a closer look. It has six arms and looks as if it was formed by joining two equilateral triangles.

Wisior

Museum of the history of Polish Jews

Discoveries:

The equal arms of the star and the fact that none of them stands out can symbolise harmony. On the one hand, the star is symmetrical, but on the other hand, each vertex of the triangle is on the opposite side of the other. Therefore it can be a symbol of a world in which opposites rule (like fire and water), but at the same time everything together creates harmony.

Wisior

Museum of the history of Polish Jews

Jak śpiewają starzy, tak piszczą młodzi

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

Jak śpiewają starzy, tak piszczą młodzi

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

What I see:

Around a table laden with food several figures have gathered: a young woman with a child and an elderly couple. A musician stands behind the table. There are also animals – a dog and a parrot.

Jak śpiewają starzy, tak piszczą młodzi

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

Investigation:

It is certainly no coincidence that the artist gathered people of different ages in one room. Thus, they are at different stages of life: childhood, youth and old age. So, maybe it is a story about passing? But then, why did the painter put musicians in this company as well? What connects music and stages of life?

Jak śpiewają starzy, tak piszczą młodzi

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

Discoveries:

The painting is an illustration of the Dutch proverb “As the old sing, so pipe the young”. It means that we take on many characteristics from older people during our childhood. We observe and imitate them. However, we must remember that the role models that the elderly pass on to us can be both good and bad.

Saint Barbara (from the feretory)

National Museum in Lublin

What I see:

A young woman wearing a crown. In one hand she holds a sword, in the other a chalice with the host. A tower is visible in the background.

Saint Barbara (from the feretory)

National Museum in Lublin

Investigation:

The presence of the chalice with the host clearly brings to mind the Christian religion. Therefore, this is most probably one of the saints, and we can recognise her by her attributes. These, in turn, are described in the life of the saint, that is, in the story of her life.

Saint Barbara (from the feretory)

National Museum in Lublin

Discoveries:

In the picture we see St Barbara. Like many other Christians, Barbara was persecuted. For holding on to her religion she was imprisoned in a tower. According to a biography, just before her death an angel appeared to her with a chalice and the host. She was killed with a sword by her father, who could not reconcile himself to his daughter’s faith.

Saint Barbara (from the feretory)

National Museum in Lublin

Self-portrait with two figures (Self-portrait with girl and tiny faun)

National Museum in Szczecin

Self-portrait with two figures (Self-portrait with girl and tiny faun)

National Museum in Szczecin

What I see:

A man, probably a painter, holds a palette and a brush. Behind him there are two figures: a young woman and a boy.

Self-portrait with two figures (Self-portrait with girl and tiny faun)

National Museum in Szczecin

Investigation:

We can easily recognise the man as the author himself – Jacek Malczewski. Not only the title of the painting will help us, but also numerous other self-portraits by this artist and his surviving photographs. To solve the mystery of what the work is about, we need to decipher what the other figures symbolise. Their attributes will help us to do so. A colourful butterfly perched on a woman’s hand. It is a symbol of inspiration, but also of transience. When it comes to the boy, we can see small horns on his head. This is how the faun, the god of fertility, was described in ancient Rome.

Self-portrait with two figures (Self-portrait with girl and tiny faun)

National Museum in Szczecin

Discoveries:

By showing himself with a painting palette, the author certainly wanted to tell us something about his work. Perhaps he was referring to the inspiration he needs to create. The faun, associated with fertility, may symbolise a fertile mind. The butterfly, on the other hand, is a reminder that any inspiration can pass quickly.

Look for items with hidden meanings around you

Hidden Meanings

Dictionary of terms:

Allegory – in art or literature it is the expression, not in a literal way, of certain hidden meanings the main difference between allegory and symbol is that allegory has a single meaning.

Self-portrait – a portrait of the artist taken by himself.

Christianity – a religion based on belief in one God; the most important book for Christians is the Bible.

Judaism – the religion followed by Jews; Judaism is the belief in one God. The most important book for the followers of Judaism is the Torah.

Mythology – a collection of stories about gods and heroes who possessed superhuman powers.

Proverb – a short sentence that can originate either from literature or be passed as the word of mouth from generation to generation. It usually expresses a general truth or, for example, a hint or warning.

Symbol – in art or literature it is the expression, not in a literal way, of certain hidden meanings; the main difference between symbol and allegory is that symbol can have many different meanings.

Jews – followers of the religion known as Judaism; for centuries they settled in many places around the world, including Poland. In 1948, the state of Israel was established, where many Jews live.

Objects in this educational path

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Hidden Meanings

Treść ścieżki edukacyjnej

All birds pay tribute to the Feng bird pair

All birds pay tribute to the Feng bird pair

All birds pay tribute to the Feng bird pair

Saucer

Saucer

Saucer

Pensive Christ

Pensive Christ

Pensive Christ

Martwa natura z szynką

Martwa natura z szynką

Martwa natura z szynką

Jug with personification of element of water

Jug with personification of element of water

Jug with personification of element of water

Soap bubbles

Soap bubbles

Soap bubbles

Wisior

Wisior

Wisior

Jak śpiewają starzy, tak piszczą młodzi

Jak śpiewają starzy, tak piszczą młodzi

Jak śpiewają starzy, tak piszczą młodzi

Saint Barbara (from the feretory)

Saint Barbara (from the feretory)

Saint Barbara (from the feretory)

Self-portrait with two figures (Self-portrait with girl and tiny faun)

Self-portrait with two figures (Self-portrait with girl and tiny faun)

Self-portrait with two figures (Self-portrait with girl and tiny faun)

Hidden Meanings

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