In the courtyard of the Polish National School at Batignolles, at 15 rue Lamandé in Paris, there is a monument bearing the image of the former President of the institution's Admistration Council, surgeon and social activist Seweryn Gałęzowski (1801-1878). Learn about the remarkable history of the monument created out of gratitude to the former alumni of the institution.

The importance of Seweryn Gałęzowski in the history of the school

Thanks to his organisational skills, Gałęzowski contributed to the development and subsequent survival of the first Polish educational institution, established in 1841 with a view to generations of young Poles entering life abroad. Among his contributions was the selection of qualified Polish and French academic staff.

Portrait bust of Seweryn Gałęzowski by Cyprian Godebski

This veristic bust of a doctor with luxuriant hair, a serious look and strongly defined cheekbones was made of marble and set on a high stone plinth situated in front of the main entrance to the school. On the side walls of the plinth is a plaque listing the names of the founders and guardians of the institution. Among them are mainly the names of Polish activists: Alojzy Biernacki, Józef Dwernicki, Henryk Nakwaski, Leon Stempowski, Franciszek Sznajde, Ludwik Plagowski, Józef Kasparek, Helena Paderewska, Ignacy Paderewski, Kazimierz Szwykowski, Józef Bohdan Zaleski. In addition, two Frenchmen were honoured on the list: George Washington de Lafayette and Alexis Vavin.

The monument was created free of charge by a team of former pupils of the institution: the architect Ludwik Tödwen, the draughtsman and photographer Piotr Płauszewski and the sculptor Cyprian Godebski (1765-1809). The ceremony of unveiling the monument took place on 1 November 1879.

Other decorations of the establishment

The decoration of the Louis XIII-style architectural establishment is complemented by two busts depicting pedagogues: the educational activist, historian and economist Tadeusz Czacki (1765-1813) and the playwright and poet Stanisław Konarski (1700-1772). The works represent Cyprian Godebski's first sculptural attempts. In addition, two medallions with images of Maria Skłodowska-Curie (1867-1934) and Adam Mickiewicz (1798-1855) hang on the façade.