Sketch of the composition ‘Martyrdom of St. Stanislaus’ 1860

Józef Simmler drafted this sketch for ‘The Martyrdom of St. Stanislaus’. Observe how the sword held high is the focal point, a timeless symbol of power and violence. This motif has ancient roots, echoing in classical depictions of sacrifice, as seen in Roman reliefs, where a raised weapon signifies ritual offering or execution. The gesture embodies the potent interplay between divine will and human action, recurring throughout art history to signal pivotal moments of transformation or destruction. The terror on the faces of the figures is palpable, it speaks to the power of collective memory, in which primal fears and anxieties are visually expressed. Note how this symbol of the upraised sword evolves over time and place, from the Roman gladius to the medieval broadsword, each reflecting the changing tools of power. Its recurrence speaks to our collective, subconscious awareness of violence and sacrifice. The symbol resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings, deeply rooted in cultural memory.