Studies of background characters for the painting ‘Queen Jadwiga’s Oath’ 1867

This pencil sketch by Józef Simmler, created in 1867, depicts three studies of background characters for his painting ‘Queen Jadwiga’s Oath’. Simmler was a Polish painter known for his historical and genre paintings. The sketch, in loose and gestural strokes, shows the artist’s process of developing figures for his larger composition. The figures are sketched in a realistic style, and their postures suggest their roles in the larger painting. This preparatory study provides insight into the artist’s creative process and highlights the importance of detail in Simmler’s work.