1859
oil
canvas
From the collection of National Museum in Kraków
Dominant colour
The poisoning of Queen Bona is a 1859 oil by Jan Matejko, held at National Museum in Kraków.
This painting depicts a dramatic scene with a woman seated in a large, ornate chair, wearing a black dress with gold trim and a fur-trimmed cape. She holds a goblet in her right hand, while a man stands beside her, also holding a goblet. To her left, a woman in a blue dress and feathered hat looks on. The room is dimly lit, with a chandelier hanging above the group. The atmosphere is tense, with the figures' facial expressions conveying a sense of unease. The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and drama, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figures. For more on the artist's use of light and shadow, look up the technique of chiaroscuro.
Jan Alojzy Matejko (Polish pronunciation: ; also known as Jan Mateyko; 24 June 1838 – 1 November 1893) was a Polish painter, a leading 19th-century exponent of history painting, known for depicting nodal events from Polish history.
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