Death of Barbara Radziwiłł 1860

"Death of Barbara Radziwiłł" (1860) by Józef Simmler depicts a poignant scene of Barbara Radziwiłł, the second wife of Polish King Sigismund II Augustus, on her deathbed. The artwork captures a somber moment, with Barbara lying on a bed draped in rich fabrics while a figure, likely her husband, sits nearby, his expression filled with sorrow. The scene is characterized by a sense of intimacy and loss, highlighting the tragic circumstances of Barbara's death. The dramatic use of light and shadow, typical of 19th-century Romanticism, emphasizes the emotional intensity of the subject.