The problem of “visualisation” of the Past in narration about history in the first half of the XIX -th century

Summary

The text broaches the problem of visualisation of the Past in conceptualization of european historians in the first half of the XIX -th century. Various trials of changing the written word of historical sources into artistic picture of the Past are shown. The text is focused on changes in the XIX -th century historical narration, shown in three cases. Firstly, as a process of ongoing debate in the first half of the XIX -th century around the historical novel of W. Scott, secondly around the documentary novel of I.J. Kraszewski and thirdly, the concept of “picturesque history” of K. Szajnocha and its realisation. The examples that are presented bring closer the contemporary perception of visualisation of the Past in romantic literature and historiography.   

The problem of “visualisation” of the Past in narration about history in the first half of the XIX -th century

Summary

The text broaches the problem of visualisation of the Past in conceptualization of european historians in the first half of the XIX -th century. Various trials of changing the written word of historical sources into artistic picture of the Past are shown. The text is focused on changes in the XIX -th century historical narration, shown in three cases. Firstly, as a process of ongoing debate in the first half of the XIX -th century around the historical novel of W. Scott, secondly around the documentary novel of I.J. Kraszewski and thirdly, the concept of “picturesque history” of K. Szajnocha and its realisation. The examples that are presented bring closer the contemporary perception of visualisation of the Past in romantic literature and historiography.