Wojciech Kossak: Kościuszko's Oath on the Main Market Square of Kraków on 24 March 1794

It is 1794. Partition has twice carved up the territory of Poland. Tadeusz Kościuszko, a hero of the war against Russia and the American War of Independence, takes charge of an uprising. In the main market square of Kraków he solemnly swears that he will fight for “freedom, unity, independence”. Alas! The Kościuszko uprising soon met its demise. The third partition took place in 1795 and Poland disappeared from the map of Europe. (Camerimage)