Study of the hands of Sigismund Augustus for the painting “Death of Barbara Radziwiłł” c. 1860

Curator: Here we have Józef Simmler’s “Study of the hands of Sigismund Augustus for the painting ‘Death of Barbara Radziwiłł,’” created around 1860, rendered in oil paint. Editor: Whoa, look at those hands. So much tension there, almost wringing, even though they appear still. The stark contrast in colour too, really brings them forward. Gives me the chills a little, actually. What's the story here? Curator: Well, Simmler was preparing for a large history painting, a very public genre at the time. Sigismund Augustus, a Polish king, is mourning his wife, Barbara Radziwiłł. These hands, while a small part, are meant to convey deep grief. Public mourning, really. Editor: History painting, got it. You know, it’s interesting how much emotion he packs into just hands. Almost sculptural. They feel so… present, y'know? Like I can feel his grief. Did most people feel such grand public mourning was genuine, back then? Curator: That’s always the tricky thing with these very staged displays of emotion in art, isn't it? There was always this awareness of political function. Polish nationalism, Romanticism—it’s all wrapped together. But I think Simmler walks the line. He invites you in, yet holds back some secret sorrow. Editor: Yes. I think there is this tension—the public versus the private grief of a ruler… the contrast of his delicate hands, the position... the clear mastery with which they're made versus his apparent emotional turmoil creates such an interesting pull! Curator: Absolutely. That dynamic plays such a significant part in not only the grander Death of Barbara Radziwiłł painting, but exists very clearly, too, even in this smaller study, it is as compelling as a standalone work in my opinion. It’s all quite impressive! Editor: A powerful demonstration of restrained emotion... this truly speaks of how private feeling might get sculpted to fit into public performance... fascinating! Thanks.