Seweryn Smolikowski (1850-1920), philosopher, bibliophile, art collector and philanthropist, was born into a family, in which artistic and bibliophile avocations had already been present for two generations. Having completed the studies of philosophy and law at the Main School (Szkoła Główna) and at the Warsaw University (1867-1874), he became famous as an originator, participant and generous sponsor of many editorial undertakings taking place between the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. He was one of the editors of "Warsaw Library" ("Biblioteka Warszawska"), where he wrote critical pieces and dissertations dedicated to trends in contemporary philosophy. He was the initiator of the publishing of the Great General Illustrated Encyclopedia (Wielkiej Encyklopedii Powszechnej Ilustrowanej), a member of its editorial team and the author of over seven hundred entries on philosophy and fine arts. Apart from publishing, Smolikowski was very much attached to the idea of creating a generally accessible scientific library in Warsaw. He was one of the co-founders of an association (1906), whose initiative and endeavors led to the creation of the Public Library in Warsaw in 1907.

Smolikowski was also one of the shareholders of the Polish Antiquarian Bookshop (Antykwariat Polski), founded in 1906. To this institution, headed by Hieronim Wilder, ex-curator of the print collection at the Krasiński Library who had numerous contacts both with Polish collectors and bibliophiles, and with foreign antiquarian bookshops, one can trace many works which later became part of Smolikowski’s collection.

After the tragic death of the collector, his brother Paweł and sisters Aleksandra Pohorecka and Waleria Szaniawska, carrying out the wishes of the deceased, donated in 1922 Smolikowski’s collection, encompassing works of art and a set of books amounting to over 30 thousands volumes (with valuable prints dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries) to the Ministry of Culture, Religion and Public Enlightenment. Later the collection of books and maps was given to the National Library in Warsaw, and the works of art were given to the National Museum in Warsaw. According to documents from 1927-1929, the Museum received more than three thousand prints, drawings, photographs, paintings and sculptures.

Giorgio Ghisi (1520-1582) after Raphael Santi (1483-1520)
The School of Athens, 1550
Engraving, paper, 50,2 x 80,2
National Museum in Warsaw, Inv.no.81502
Donated by Seweryn Smolikowski

Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778)
The Page of Carceri d'Invenzione
Etching (VII state), paper, 54,5 x 41,5
National Museum in Warsaw, Inv.no.81569
Donated by Seweryn Smolikowski

Jean-Charles François (1717-1769)
Portrait of Louis XV, King of France
Chalk manner, paper, 33 x 22,4
National Museum in Warsaw, Inv.no.81369
Donated by Seweryn Smolikowski

C. Wentzel after Schubert
Illustration for Essays of Physionomy of Lavater
Etching, paper, 21,5 x 31,5 cm
National Museum in Warsaw, Inv.no.81431
Donated by Seweryn Smolikowski