With an orchestra or solo? Norwid in the Paris studio of Juliusz Kossak

The article discusses the relationship between Cyprian Norwid and the circle of Polish painters gathered around Juliusz Kossak’s Paris studio in the mid-nineteenth century. The starting point is Kossak’s humorous drawing titled Orkiestra artystów [An Orchestra of Artists], which portrays Norwid with his back turned to the viewer and a lyre at his side, depicted among other painters, members of the orchestra, who are playing various musical instruments. On the basis of this composition, which illustrates an anecdote from the life of the exile community of Polish artists, and drawing on other accounts from the period, the article outlines the social situation of the painters, placing Norwid against this background. Emphasising the community of emigration experiences, it is thus also possible to indicate the distinctness of Norwid’s situation, resulting both from his personal traits and the profile of his work, which combines literature and fine arts and is strongly rooted in theoretical reflection.