The cognitive and religious dimension of the writer and the Grand Marshall of Lithuania Ignacy Potocki’s stay in Rome and his educational voyage in the years 1765–1771

Among the representatives of the Polish magnates traveling around Europe there distinguishes the figure of the Grand Marshall of Lithuania Ignacy Potocki – one of the leaders of the Polish Enlightenment – famous for preparing a programme of political reforms of the state, which were later presented by him in the Constitution of 3 May. As a young man, he stayed abroad in the years 1765-1771 when he was preparing himself to take holy orders in Rome, which was to open the door for his further career. The general ambiance of uncertainty in the Church along with his family and personal tragedy after he had lost his parents changed the objective of his educational voyage. The study visit in Rome changed into a voyage of the Grand Tour type in the years 1770-1771. In total he visited several states – European leaders in politics, economy and culture (Germany, Bohemia, Austria, Italy, France, Spain). The accounts from the journey included in the diaries and letters reveal a noticeable cognitive element in his remarks; they prove that Ignacy Potocki was an acute observer of the political, social and economic situation in the countries he visited. It allowed him to draw far-reaching conclusions concerning the reasons for the power held by the countries which dominated in Europe, and to form drafts of possible reforms to improve the situation in Poland. Potocki was prone to aesthetic stimuli; he relished the beauty of architecture, art and landscape. In this way, he revealed a new type of sensitivity allowing the holistic perspective of the reality observed abroad.