Museum of Photography in Kraków

• Highlights a medley of works from the Museum of Photography in Krakow’s encyclopaedic collection
• Offers a personal tour of this collection given by the Museum’s Director
• The only public institution of its kind in Poland

The Museum of Photography in Krakow was created over 30 years ago and is the only public institution of its kind in Poland. The collection covers almost the entire history of photography, from its invention to contemporary times. It comprises almost 70,000 items, from positive prints, negatives and examples of fine art photographic techniques and systems to darkroom and cinematic equipment. Journalistic, studio, artistic, documentary, technical and amateur photography – all of these genres are represented within the museum’s diverse collection. Visitors can explore the work of celebrated photographers who have made great contributions to the development of Polish photography as well as that of many lesser-known craft photographers and anonymous artists who used photography either as a means of individual expression, a work tool or a method of documenting their personal history. Published to coincide with the completion of an ambitious renovation project, this book presents a selection of highlights drawn from the museum’s diverse collection.

Marek Świca has been the Director of the Museum of Photography in Krakow since 2016. He was previously Vice-Director for academic research and collections at the National Museum in Krakow. His interests focus on the experience of art created by avant-garde artists in Poland in the mid-20th century.