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Portrait of Augustus II: 18th-Century Royal Painting by Bacciarelli at Royal Łazienki Museum

This significant 18th-century artwork portrays King Augustus II of Poland, originally for the Chamber of Bacchus.

Delve into the rich history behind Marcello Bacciarelli's 'Portrait of Augustus II' located at the Royal Łazienki Palace. This painting, created in the 1770s, captures Augustus II, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, offering a glimpse into European royalty. Learn about its origins as a commissioned piece for the opulent Chamber of Bacchus and its connection to Stanisław August. Discover the artistic nuances of this variant copy of a portrait by Louis de Silvestre the Younger.

About Portrait of Augustus II at Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Portrait of Augustus II at Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw

Exhibition summary

This painting depicts Augustus II (1670–1733), Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. Commissioned by Stanisław August, it was likely created in the 1770s by Marcello Bacciarelli for the Chamber of Bacchus in the Royal Łazienki Palace. The artwork is a variant copy of a portrait by Louis de Silvestre the Younger.

Curatorial context

The painting "Portrait of Augustus II" showcases the monarch, who served as Elector of Saxony and King of Poland from 1697 to 1733. It is attributed to Marcello Bacciarelli, with the work most likely commissioned by King Stanisław August during the 1770s. This artwork was intended to complement a series of 15 portraits of figures from the era of Augustus II, acquired by Stanisław August and destined for the Chamber of Bacchus in the Palace on the Isle at Łazienki. Bacciarelli's portrait is a modified copy of a well-known portrayal by Louis de Silvestre the Younger, featuring the monarch in a red coat and cuirass, adorned with the Order of the Golden Fleece and the Order of the White Eagle. The painting's provenance is complex, with discussions pointing to copies from Mányoki's collection or even works formerly in Gołuchów, potentially belonging to the Czartoryski family, before entering Stanisław August's collection.

Portrait of Augustus II key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Portrait of Augustus II at Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw

Venue
Royal Łazienki Museum
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
Information not currently available
Artist line / attribution
Painted by Marcello Bacciarelli (1731–1818), a significant court painter.
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