Lost painting goes on view at Krakow Royal Castle

photo - PAP/Jacek Bednarczyk

The Murder of Wapowski during the Coronation of Henri Valois was completed by Matejko in 1861 and was last exhibited to the public in 1894.

It had originally been purchased by Prince Wladyslaw Sanguszko, sometime chairman of the Society of Friends of the Fine Arts in Krakow.

It recently re-emerged in the collection of a South American art collector, who submitted the painting to Wawel Castle, where it has been restored to its full lustre.

Jan Matejko (1838-1893) rose to prominence as a painter of stirring historical paintings that were designed to uplift hearts during the era of Poland's partitions.

He was the most celebrated artist of his day within the divided Polish lands, and he mentored some of the nation's finest talents, including Jozef Mehoffer and Stanislaw Wyspianski.

The Murder of Wapowski during the Coronation of Henri Valois is an early work, and it depicts an incident that occurred at Wawel Castle in 1574.

Wapowski, a dignitary of the crown, was mortally injured when he attempted to intervene in a fight between two noblemen on the coronation day of Henri Valois, Poland's first elected monarch.

Mayor of Krakow Jacek Majchrowski was among those to attend a special viewing of the work on Monday, and the picture can be visited by the public until 22 January.

The future of the canvas is at present uncertain, but it is hoped that the work will remain in a Polish public collection.

Details of the current owner have not been disclosed to date. (nh/pg)