Doubravka of Bohemia 

This is Jan Matejko’s portrait of Doubravka of Bohemia. Matejko, a Polish painter born in 1838, is known for his historical paintings which often depicted significant events in Polish history. This portrait, like much of Matejko's work, is deeply rooted in his effort to capture key figures and moments in Slavic history. Doubravka, a Bohemian princess who married the Polish Duke Mieszko I in the 10th century, played a crucial role in the Christianization of Poland. Matejko portrays her with a sense of reverence, emphasizing her role as a bringer of Christianity. The somber tones and the symbolic presence of the candle and what looks like a reliquary reflect the weight of her mission and the dawn of a new religious era. Matejko’s work became a vehicle for nationalistic expression, reinforcing a sense of Polish identity, which gives the portrait a fascinating intersection of religious, national, and personal meaning.