Study of the act to the figure of John of Finland for the painting ‘Catherine Jagiellon in Gripsholm Prison’ 1858

Editor: This drawing, a "Study of the act to the figure of John of Finland for the painting ‘Catherine Jagiellon in Gripsholm Prison’," was created by Józef Simmler in 1858. It is a figure drawing... What strikes me is how raw and unfinished it feels. I wonder what emotions were invested into making the sketch? Curator: An excellent observation. Look at how the artist repeats the pose; that doubled presence can suggest internal conflict. Simmler uses the figure of John to convey deeper meanings – a study not just of form, but of the psychological weight carried by historical figures. Editor: Psychological weight? Curator: Think of prisons, literal and metaphorical, that royalty were subjected to during periods of turbulence. This drawing uses a visual vocabulary -- repeated motifs -- to comment on this character, who embodies the burden of kingship and captivity. Does that make sense? Editor: Yes, it does. The two versions almost show a kind of… restless mind? The artist also makes John look vulnerable... like his private self, wrestling with something deeper than an external political battle. Curator: Precisely. Note the almost casual pose, contrasted with the historical importance tied to John's persona. The hand supporting the head? That simple gesture speaks volumes, echoing gestures found throughout art history, expressing melancholy, contemplation... even doubt. Editor: So it's not just about what's visible in the image but how it connects with a whole lineage of art? How interesting... I hadn't thought about it that way. Thank you for expanding how I see it! Curator: My pleasure. Remember, every image holds echoes of the past, influencing how we understand and feel its emotional and psychological power.