Study of Both Hands of the Bishop for the Painting ‘The Oath of Queen Jadwiga’ 1867

Józef Simmler painted this study of hands in preparation for his painting ‘The Oath of Queen Jadwiga’. It provides an insight into the artist’s working methods and the cultural and institutional context of history painting in 19th-century Poland. Academic art institutions prized history painting for its perceived ability to convey moral and patriotic values. In partitioned Poland, historical scenes were a vital means of expressing national identity and collective memory. Simmler would have made studies like this to carefully plan and execute a grand composition, ensuring anatomical accuracy, and emotional expressiveness. Through visual codes such as gesture and expression, history paintings reinforced certain values and interpretations of the past, influencing the viewer's understanding of national history and identity. Accessing the archives to understand Simmler’s choices allows us to interpret and contextualize the artist’s vision and see how historical narratives can be strategically constructed.