The pilgrimage of the young Otto III from Italy to the tomb of St Adalbert in Gniezno won Poland a friendly neighbour. The son of the Greek Theophanu, the Emperor, together with Radzym (the first Archbishop of Gniezno), places the royal crown on the head of Bolesław Chrobry, the Brave. The new king, struck with a sword and the nail of the Holy Cross, holds in his hand the sceptre, the Holy Lance of St Maurice.

The Benedictine choir, led by Abbot Tuni, sings the hymn of St Adalbert, "Virgin Mother of God."

In front of these, overshadowed by the mensa on which the coffin of the Holy Martyr rests, kneels Bishop Unger of Poznan.

In front, seated on a stone bench were Gizyler, Archbishop of Magdeburg, with Thietmar, Bishop of Merseburg.  

To this day, it is still debated whether the emperor's gesture mentioned by Matejko can be regarded as the coronation of Bolesław Chrobry.

Task: Jan Matejko
Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
https://mnk.pl/exhibitions/matejko-the-painter-and-history