Portret van Stanislaus August Poniatowski 1826

This is Henri Grevedon’s portrait of Stanislaus August Poniatowski. Grevedon, who was born after Poniatowski's reign ended, painted this portrait as a historical document, rather than a depiction from life. Poniatowski, the last King of Poland, was a complicated figure who was elected king, but whose reign was overshadowed by the influence of Russia and the partitions of Poland. Grevedon painted this portrait in 1826, a time when Poland was struggling to maintain its national identity under foreign rule. Poniatowski, who was seen by some as a traitor and by others as a patriot, was a figure of intense debate. Grevedon doesn't offer a clear judgment, rather the portrait captures Poniatowski's complex legacy, inviting us to consider the weight of power, the burden of leadership, and the pain of a nation divided.