Study of the king figure for the painting ‘Death of Barbara Radziwiłł’ 1860

Józef Simmler created this pencil study of a male nude figure to prepare for his painting ‘Death of Barbara Radziwiłł’. Simmler lived during a time of Polish national revival when Poland was partitioned and under foreign rule. Historical paintings such as ‘Death of Barbara Radziwiłł’ were made to encourage national identity. In this sketch for the king’s figure, we see the artist grappling with a representation of power, vulnerability, and masculinity. The male figure is nude, seated, with his head bent in what seems to be a moment of contemplation. The sketch is not just an exercise in form, but an exploration of emotion and the weight of leadership. Simmler’s commitment to realism is evident in the detailed rendering of the human form. This artwork allows us to reflect on how historical narratives are constructed, and on the emotional and personal dimensions of leadership.