Diploma of Honorary Membership for Ignacy Jan Paderewski from the “Kurek” (Hammer) Krakow Riflemen Society

Ignacy Jan Paderewski was greatly loved and he was constantly reminded of it. One form of expressing admiration and acknowledging the master’s virtue – as both a musician and a statesman – were tributes in the form of diplomas given to the deserving individual. This kind of distinction was a popular way of recognizing a worthy person’s accomplishments. These diplomas occurred in various degrees of extravagance, depending on the wealth of the donors. Paderewski’s collection includes tributes given as humble greetings cards, for example from the children at an orphanage on Książęca street in Warsaw, as well as diplomas of high artistic value. One such piece is a diploma from the “Kurek” (Hammer) Krakow Riflemen Society, dated November 6th, 1910, which names Paderewski as an honorary member of the organization. In the foreground of the watercolour composition we see the Władysław Jagiełło Monument, more commonly known as the Grunwald Monument, unveiled in Krakow on the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald. The monument was funded by Ignacy Jan Paderewski. At the monument’s grand unveiling, the pianist delivered an impassioned speech underscoring that the piece was the product of love for the homeland, a symbol of Poland’s past glory and a sign of better times ahead. The members of the “Kurek” (Hammer) Riflemen Society in Krakow used the Grunwald Monument motif in their diploma as a reference to the master’s great contribution to the Polish cause. Later, the pianist himself underscored that funding the monument proved to be a turning point in his life, inspiring him to get involved in politics.