Jan Gawiński

Jan z Wielomowic Gawiński (c.1622–c.1684) was a Polish baroque poet.

Jan Gawiński.

Gawiński is counted into the classical generation of Sarmatians – the generation of John III Sobieski, though his nobility is not certain. He descended likely from town Wilamowice near Krakow. He studied in the branch of Jagellon University in Biała Podlaska. Next he was a courtier of bishop Charles Ferdinand Vasa. He may have fought with the Cossacks. Finally he settled down in Krakow and married Małgorzata Lajtner. There he held several offices, including the steward of salt works in Wieliczka and Bochnia. He was also the best friend of Wespazjan Kochowski; they found second wives for each other.

His most famous works are his idyls, taking pattern from Anacreon, Szymon Szymonowic and ancient Latin poets, glorifyng life in the village and published many times. Very interesting are also Dworzanki albo Epigrammata polskie (Court ladies or Polish epigrams). He wrote a poem, Clipaeus christianitatis (The shield of Christianity), in praise of John III Sobieski defeating Turkey, a series of epigrams Nagrobki (Epitaphs), a Latin poem on the death of Krzysztof Wilski Planctus (Crying) and translations of works of Maciej Kazimierz Sarbiewski as well.