Sketch for the painting ‘Farewell to Wacław with Maria’ 1847

Józef Simmler created this sketch, titled ‘Farewell to Wacław with Maria,’ as a preparatory study for a later painting. Simmler was deeply invested in Polish history and culture, often portraying dramatic moments from the nation's past. This sketch captures a poignant farewell scene, laden with socio-political and gendered implications. The scene is composed of a knight bidding adieu to a woman. It might be tempting to view their interaction through a romantic lens, but its cultural context reveals a broader narrative. The knight's departure may signify the call to defend national pride, with the woman embodying the sacrifices and emotional burdens faced by those left behind. Simmler’s sketch allows us to reflect on the personal sacrifices and emotional complexities intertwined with larger narratives of national identity and historical conflict. It’s a tender rendering of the human cost of duty and upheaval.