Conservative Traditions in Polish Art History

The Challenges of Overcoming Entrenched Paradigms

Abstract

This article investigates the persistence of adherence to traditional approaches in Polish art history and the challenges faced in attempting to challenge it. The analysis reveals how art historians in Poland have adhered to notions of ‘objective’ and apolitical science, perpetuating earlier methodologies based on a factographic-object approach. This prevailing mindset inhibits the acceptance of newer, critical frameworks. The paper explores significant historical figures, institutional structures, and movements that have contributed to these conservative trends, while advocating for a more self-reflective approach in line with global methodological developments. By confronting resistance to change, the discipline can broaden its academic and cultural relevance.