Interior of the Tomb of Casimir the Great (Kazimierz Wielki)

Opis zbioru

The painting depicts the interior of a tomb illuminated by a torch inserted through an opening in the wall. A young man peers inside, lending the scene an air of mystery just being unveiled. Inside, one can see the remains of a coffin, fabrics, bones, a skull wearing a crown, and a sceptre.

The composition, somewhat dramatised by the artist, refers to an authentic event. In 1864, to mark the 500th anniversary of the founding of the Jagiellonian University, the Kraków Scientific Society undertook the restoration of Casimir the Great’s tomb. On 14 June 1869, during the restoration work, the royal insignia and remains were discovered inside the sarcophagus.

Matejko participated in the official opening of the tomb and made pencil sketches of the royal skull, insignia, and spurs. That same year, he painted an oil painting depicting this event, which was of great significance for research into Polish history.