# Matejko's Battle of Grunwald (1878)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1878-matejko-s-battle-of-grunwald
Location: Kraków

Jan Matejko completed his monumental painting of the Battle of Grunwald, one of many history paintings through which he built national memory under the partitions. Within the broader Partitioned Poland period: Without a state, Poles preserved their nation through uprisings, emigration, Romantic literature, 'organic work' and modern political movements, while facing Russification and Germanisation. At this point in the timeline (1878), the governing authority was Alexander II (King of Poland (Tsar of Russia)). Reforming tsar whose regime suppressed the January Uprising and intensified Russification. Matejko's Battle of Grunwald mattered because cultural achievements helped preserve and define Polish identity and influence beyond its borders. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Matejko's Battle of Grunwald mattered because cultural achievements helped preserve and define Polish identity and influence beyond its borders.

Ruler at the time: [Alexander II](https://poland-history.com/rulers/alexander-ii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Battle of Grunwald (Matejko)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Grunwald_(Matejko))
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Matejko's Battle of Grunwald](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Matejko%27s+Battle+of+Grunwald)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland (1795–1918) (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_(1795%E2%80%931918))