Page 55 - Centrum Dialogu im. Marka Edelmana w Łodzi. Artur Szyk, Man of Dialogue.

Album-ksi„¿ka_ASzyk_wANGIELSKA.qxd 2012-05-27 20:31 Page 55
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4 4. TITLE PAGE OF THE STATUTE OF KALISZ
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The central element of the next etching is a figure of an
enthroned King Casimir the Great, holding a scroll with the
rights granted to Jews. Under his feet, the Polish Piast coat 5 55
of arms is featured – the Piast eagle. On both sides of the STATUTE OF KALISZ
throne: inscription in Polish (the same as on the previous
page in Latin):
"Rights granted to Polish Jews by Boleslaus the Tall, Duke in
1264 A.D. and confirmed by Casimir the Great in 1334,
Casimir Jagiellon the Fourth in 1447 and 1467"
Polish Piast eagle
Made by Artur Szyk in Paris, 1927 A.D."
There is one more sentence, explaining the artist's message:
"For the glory of my country, for the enemies' condemnation".
In the bottom of the page, the basic text, repeated in French
without the last sentence and artist's signature, placed in a
scroll held by two lions. The throne is decorated with
numerous details.
From the collection of the Józef Piłsudski Library (WiMBP) in
Łódź.
Casimir the Great extending the
stipulations of the Statute of Kalisz
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C Casimir the Great (1310-1370) )
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was the last king of the Piast line, he was the grandson of
Boleslaus the Pious. Crowned as the King of Poland in 1333.
Year later, he extended Jewish privileges granted by Statute of
Kalisz of Boleslaus the Pious to the entire Kingdom of Poland.
Jewish communities were granted rights such as: exemption
from German jurisdiction and direct accountability before royal
courts of law.
Casimir the Great was perceived as a protector of Jews and his
reign is considered as a period of great prosperity. He was even
given a moniker of the King of Jews and peasants.