Figures of Armoured Guards. Study to the Painting ‘Catherine Jagiellon in Gripsholm Prison’ before 1858

Józef Simmler made this oil study, "Figures of Armoured Guards," in preparation for his painting about Catherine Jagiellon's imprisonment. Here, Simmler focuses on the guards, using their imposing armor and solemn expressions to convey the weight of Catherine's confinement. Made in 19th-century Poland, then under foreign rule, this painting reflects a deep interest in national history and identity. The story of Catherine, a Polish princess imprisoned in Sweden, resonated with Polish audiences who were themselves living under political oppression. Historical paintings like this served as a form of cultural resistance, reminding viewers of Poland's past glory and struggles. To understand Simmler’s painting fully, historians delve into archives, studying letters, political documents, and even costume designs. This helps us grasp not only the artistic choices but also the social and political meanings embedded in the work. After all, art doesn't exist in a vacuum; it speaks to and is shaped by its time.