Study of the Prince and a Kneeling Lady for the Painting ‘The Upbringing of Sigismund Augustus’ 1861

This is a preliminary study by Polish artist Józef Simmler for his large-scale painting "The Upbringing of Sigismund Augustus," created in 1861. The drawing features a kneeling woman and a seated man, likely the prince and his female companion, representing figures that would ultimately feature in Simmler's final composition. The sketch utilizes loose, expressive lines to capture the figures' postures and gestures, demonstrating Simmler's preparatory approach to his monumental history painting. The delicate, light shading highlights the artist’s interest in form and volume, giving a glimpse into the process of developing the figures for his final work.