Poisoning of Queen Bona
1859
Queen Bona Sforza, an Italian princess who became Queen of Poland, was famous for her political intrigue and immense wealth. In this dramatic 1859 scene by Jan Matejko, we witness her final moments in 1557, seated sternly on her throne in Bari, Italy, after fleeing her adopted country. The sinister, bearded figure offering her a glass of liquid is believed to be her own doctor, secretly poisoning her on the orders of her enemies. A young lady-in-waiting watches from the shadows with wide-eyed apprehension, while Matejko's masterful use of dark, romantic lighting captures the intense paranoia of a powerful ruler meeting a treacherous end.
- Technique
- oil painting