Constitution of May 3, 1791 (painting)
Encyclopedia
Constitution of May 3, 1791 is a late 19th century Romantic genre painting by the Polish artist Jan Matejko
, commemorating the centenary of an important event in the history of Poland
. It is an oil painting
on canvas measuring 247 x 446 cm, and like many of Matejko's works, is a large and crowded scene. It is an iconic representation of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791
, an important moment in the history of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
and the Polish Enlightenment.
, Kraków
. This grand historical painting was one of the last works by Matejko, who died in November 1893.
The painting is now in the collection of the Royal Castle in Warsaw
, where Matejko declared that he would like the painting to be. The painting is one of Matejko's best known works and is seen as one of his masterpieces, an "education in national history."
The painting, set in the late afternoon of May 3, 1791, shows the procession of deputies from the Royal Castle
(seen in the background) to St. John's Archcathedral (on the left) in order to swear, once again, the oath to the text of the Constitution that had just been passed by the Great Sejm
. The procession is moving along Świętojańska Street and is surrounded by enthusiastic Warsaw residents and visitors. The deputies are guarded by soldiers. While the procession was a real historical occurrence, Matejko took many artistic liberties, up to the inclusion of people who were not present, or were already dead. He did so as he intended the painting to be a synthesis of the last years of the Commonwealth.
and Ignacy Zakrzewski of Poznań
(12). Kraków and Poznań are principal cities of two major regions of Poland: Lesser Poland
and Greater Poland
, respectively. Underneath Małachowski's right hand there is a figure holding a flag, with a bandaged head; this is Tadeusz Kościuszko
(13); his head wound is a reference to the battle of Maciejowice
that took place three years later, in 1794, during the Kościuszko Uprising
. Kościuszko stands next to another participant in the Uprising and future mayor of Warsaw, the aforementioned Ignacy Zakrzewski (12).
The second figure who is being carried, to the right of Małachowski, is Kazimierz Nestor Sapieha
(14), marshal of the Lithuanian confederation and the second Sejm marshal. He is dressed in more traditional Polish clothing.
In the lower center of the painting, Matejko shows a scene that happened in the Royal Castle. An opponent of the constitution, Jan Suchorzewski
(15), deputy from Kalisz
, has fallen to the ground, holding his young son with one arm; his other hand, holding a knife, is held by Stanisław Kublicki, deputy of Inflanty
and an active supporter of the Constitution. Suchorzewski unsuccessfully attempted to prevent the king from signing the Constitution, blocking his way and threatening to kill his own son to save him from the "slavery of the Constitution". From Suchorzewski's pocket, a deck of cards has fallen out, an allusion to the way he was bribed by the anti-Constitution Russian ambassador Otto Magnus von Stackelberg
and hetman
Branicki. Suchorzewski had been noticed to suddenly start winning large sums of money in games, despite his poor skills as a gambler. Branicki (7) can be seen standing between the king and Suchorzewski, dressed in Russian uniform, foreshadowing the rank of general
he would receive in the Russian Army in a few years. In reality he, like most of the Constitution opponents, refused to participate in the procession.
Notable figures in the center of the painting, to the left of Małachowski, include several supporters of the Constitution: priest Hugo Kołłątaj (8) is the most prominent, gesturing in disdain at Suchorzewski. Several other figures in the vicinity are described in sources, but their precise location is unclear, or the sources contradict one another. The priest holding the Bible
is most likely either Feliks Turski or Tymoteusz Gorzeński. The figure to the right of Kołłątaj represents either the Grand Lithuanian Marshal, Ignacy Potocki, or Prince Adam Kazimierz Czartoryski. Surrounding Kołłątaj are likely the priest Scipione Piattoli
and Tadeusz Matuszewicz (Matusiewicz).
is being handed to him by the Courland
princess Dorothea von Medem
(Dorothea Biron). Behind her stands Elżbieta Grabowska, the king's mistress and mother of his children. Bowing at the church doors is the former mayor of Warsaw, Jan Dekert
(2). He is accompanied by his wife, with their daughter Marianna (in yellow dress, facing away) taking a prominent position near the king. Dekert's inclusion in the painting is another historical error, but intentional: while he died in October 1790, he represents the importance of the burgher
s and the Free Royal Cities Act
. Behind the king, holding his hands to his head, is Prince Antoni Stanisław Czetwertyński-Światopełk (6), another opponent of the Constitution, known for being on a Russian payroll; he would be imprisoned and hanged a few years later during the Kościuszko Uprising. Underneath him is another opponent of the constitution, Antoni Złotnicki.
In the group of people gathered below the king, in another acknowledgement of the burghers' importance, is burgher Jan Kiliński
(4), one of the leaders of the Kościuszko Uprising. To his right, at the edge of the crowd, is the priest Clemens Maria Hofbauer
(5), a future Saint
, who at that time ran an orphanage
and a school in Warsaw.
(16), Kołłątaj's secretary and one of the Polish Jacobins
(with a French blue-white-red
flower in his hat, and holding the czekan—ax- and hammer-like weapon). To the right of Zamoyski is an unnamed peasant (19).
In another foreshadowing, to the right of them, riding a grey horse, in the uniform of the light cavalry of the Duchy of Warsaw
, is the king's nephew, prince Józef Poniatowski. He would be commander-in-chief of the Duchy's army, and would die during the French invasion of Russia
. At the time of the passing of the Constitution, he was the commander of the Warsaw garrison, and is shown keeping an eye on the procession, with his soldiers lined up and guarding the street.
At the very bottom right corner, an old Polish Jew (21) is on the edge of the scene; his hand making a Sy, git ("that's good") gesture.
The following characters are not included in the guide picture:
Jan Matejko
Jan Matejko was a Polish painter known for paintings of notable historical Polish political and military events. His most famous works include oil on canvas paintings like Battle of Grunwald, paintings of numerous other battles and court scenes, and a gallery of Polish kings...
, commemorating the centenary of an important event in the history of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. It is an oil painting
Oil painting
Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil—especially in early modern Europe, linseed oil. Often an oil such as linseed was boiled with a resin such as pine resin or even frankincense; these were called 'varnishes' and were prized for their body...
on canvas measuring 247 x 446 cm, and like many of Matejko's works, is a large and crowded scene. It is an iconic representation of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791
Constitution of May 3, 1791
The Constitution of May 3, 1791 was adopted as a "Government Act" on that date by the Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Historian Norman Davies calls it "the first constitution of its type in Europe"; other scholars also refer to it as the world's second oldest constitution...
, an important moment in the history of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dualistic state of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch. It was the largest and one of the most populous countries of 16th- and 17th‑century Europe with some and a multi-ethnic population of 11 million at its peak in the early 17th century...
and the Polish Enlightenment.
Painting history and significance
Matejko began work on the painting in January 1891, to coincide with the centenary of the constitution. Although the painting was not finished until October, by May it was sufficiently advanced to be shown at the anniversary exhibition in SukienniceSukiennice
The Renaissance Sukiennice in Kraków, Poland, is one of the city's most recognizable icons. It is the central feature of the Main Market Square in the Kraków Old Town . It was once a major centre of international trade. Traveling merchants met there to discuss business and to barter...
, Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
. This grand historical painting was one of the last works by Matejko, who died in November 1893.
The painting is now in the collection of the Royal Castle in Warsaw
Royal Castle, Warsaw
The Royal Castle in Warsaw is a castle residency and was the official residence of the Polish monarchs. It is located in the Castle Square, at the entrance to the Warsaw Old Town. The personal offices of the king and the administrative offices of the Royal Court of Poland were located there from...
, where Matejko declared that he would like the painting to be. The painting is one of Matejko's best known works and is seen as one of his masterpieces, an "education in national history."
Content
Royal Castle, Warsaw
The Royal Castle in Warsaw is a castle residency and was the official residence of the Polish monarchs. It is located in the Castle Square, at the entrance to the Warsaw Old Town. The personal offices of the king and the administrative offices of the Royal Court of Poland were located there from...
(seen in the background) to St. John's Archcathedral (on the left) in order to swear, once again, the oath to the text of the Constitution that had just been passed by the Great Sejm
Great Sejm
The Great Sejm, also known as the Four-Year Sejm was a Sejm of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that was held in Warsaw, beginning in 1788...
. The procession is moving along Świętojańska Street and is surrounded by enthusiastic Warsaw residents and visitors. The deputies are guarded by soldiers. While the procession was a real historical occurrence, Matejko took many artistic liberties, up to the inclusion of people who were not present, or were already dead. He did so as he intended the painting to be a synthesis of the last years of the Commonwealth.
Center
The painting is centered on the Sejm marshal Stanisław Małachowski (11), in a white, French-inspired costume. Małachowski holds the marshal staff in his left hand and in his right hand, he triumphantly raises the text of the Constitution. Although the real document is titled Ustawa rządowa (Government Ordinance), Matejko decided to make the title page more explicit—and at the same time put the name of the painting right in its center. He is carried by deputies Aleksander Linowski of KrakówKraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
and Ignacy Zakrzewski of Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
(12). Kraków and Poznań are principal cities of two major regions of Poland: Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland is one of the historical regions of Poland, with its capital in the city of Kraków. It forms the southeastern corner of the country, and should not be confused with the modern Lesser Poland Voivodeship, which covers only a small, southern part of Lesser Poland...
and Greater Poland
Greater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
, respectively. Underneath Małachowski's right hand there is a figure holding a flag, with a bandaged head; this is Tadeusz Kościuszko
Tadeusz Kosciuszko
Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko was a Polish–Lithuanian and American general and military leader during the Kościuszko Uprising. He is a national hero of Poland, Lithuania, the United States and Belarus...
(13); his head wound is a reference to the battle of Maciejowice
Battle of Maciejowice
The Battle of Maciejowice was fought on October 10, 1794, between Poland and the Russian Empire.The Poles were led by Tadeusz Kościuszko. Kościuszko with 6,200 men planned to prevent the linking of two larger Russian armies, 12,000 under Iwan Fersen and 12,500 under Alexander Suvorov...
that took place three years later, in 1794, during the Kościuszko Uprising
Kosciuszko Uprising
The Kościuszko Uprising was an uprising against Imperial Russia and the Kingdom of Prussia led by Tadeusz Kościuszko in Poland, Belarus and Lithuania in 1794...
. Kościuszko stands next to another participant in the Uprising and future mayor of Warsaw, the aforementioned Ignacy Zakrzewski (12).
The second figure who is being carried, to the right of Małachowski, is Kazimierz Nestor Sapieha
Kazimierz Nestor Sapieha
Prince Kazimierz Nestor Sapieha was a Polish-Lithuanian noble .Kazimierz Sapieha was educated at the Knight School in Warsaw from 1767 until 1791, and served as Artillery General of Lithuania, from 1773 to 1793...
(14), marshal of the Lithuanian confederation and the second Sejm marshal. He is dressed in more traditional Polish clothing.
In the lower center of the painting, Matejko shows a scene that happened in the Royal Castle. An opponent of the constitution, Jan Suchorzewski
Jan Suchorzewski
Jan Suchorzewski was a Polish noble of the Zaremba coat of arms, soldier and politician. He held the title of the wojski of Wschowa. He was a deputy from Gniezno to the Sejm of 1786 and deputy from Kalisz to the Great Sejm of 1788-1792. He would be best remembered for his dramatic, theatrical...
(15), deputy from Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
, has fallen to the ground, holding his young son with one arm; his other hand, holding a knife, is held by Stanisław Kublicki, deputy of Inflanty
Inflanty
Inflanty is the Polish name for Livonia.Inflanty may also refer to*the Inflanty Voivodeship, also known as Polish Livonia.*the Principality of Inflanty, also known as the Duchy of Livonia....
and an active supporter of the Constitution. Suchorzewski unsuccessfully attempted to prevent the king from signing the Constitution, blocking his way and threatening to kill his own son to save him from the "slavery of the Constitution". From Suchorzewski's pocket, a deck of cards has fallen out, an allusion to the way he was bribed by the anti-Constitution Russian ambassador Otto Magnus von Stackelberg
Otto Magnus von Stackelberg
Otto Magnus von Stackelberg may refer to:* Otto Magnus von Stackelberg , Russian diplomat* Otto Magnus von Stackelberg , Estonian archeologist...
and hetman
Hetman
Hetman was the title of the second-highest military commander in 15th- to 18th-century Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which together, from 1569 to 1795, comprised the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, or Rzeczpospolita....
Branicki. Suchorzewski had been noticed to suddenly start winning large sums of money in games, despite his poor skills as a gambler. Branicki (7) can be seen standing between the king and Suchorzewski, dressed in Russian uniform, foreshadowing the rank of general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
he would receive in the Russian Army in a few years. In reality he, like most of the Constitution opponents, refused to participate in the procession.
Notable figures in the center of the painting, to the left of Małachowski, include several supporters of the Constitution: priest Hugo Kołłątaj (8) is the most prominent, gesturing in disdain at Suchorzewski. Several other figures in the vicinity are described in sources, but their precise location is unclear, or the sources contradict one another. The priest holding the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
is most likely either Feliks Turski or Tymoteusz Gorzeński. The figure to the right of Kołłątaj represents either the Grand Lithuanian Marshal, Ignacy Potocki, or Prince Adam Kazimierz Czartoryski. Surrounding Kołłątaj are likely the priest Scipione Piattoli
Scipione Piattoli
Scipione Piattoli was an Italian priest who was politically active in Warsaw, Poland, during the Four-Year Sejm and participated in the drafting of the Constitution of May 3, 1791.-Life:Piattoli arrived in Poland in 1783...
and Tadeusz Matuszewicz (Matusiewicz).
Left
On the stairs of the archcathedral, King Stanisław August Poniatowski (1) is ascending. Matejko was not very fond of Poniatowski, and he portrayed him in a rather pompous posture, with his hand extended to be kissed, and in the company of numerous pretty ladies, supporting his reputation as a "lady's man". Poniatowski's inclusion in the procession is one of Matejko's artistic liberties, as he had arrived at the archcathedral earlier. Next to him, a laurel wreathLaurel wreath
A laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel , an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head...
is being handed to him by the Courland
Courland
Courland is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. The regions of Semigallia and Selonia are sometimes considered as part of Courland.- Geography and climate :...
princess Dorothea von Medem
Dorothea von Medem
Dorothea von Medem was born a Gräfin of the noble German Baltic Medem family and later became Duchess of Courland...
(Dorothea Biron). Behind her stands Elżbieta Grabowska, the king's mistress and mother of his children. Bowing at the church doors is the former mayor of Warsaw, Jan Dekert
Jan Dekert
Jan Dekert or Jan Dekiert was a Polish merchant, political activist and mayor of Warsaw . He was an activist arguing for more rights for the burghers in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, however he was also known as an opponent of Jewish merchants.He was born in the village of Bledzew. He...
(2). He is accompanied by his wife, with their daughter Marianna (in yellow dress, facing away) taking a prominent position near the king. Dekert's inclusion in the painting is another historical error, but intentional: while he died in October 1790, he represents the importance of the burgher
Burgher
Burgher may refer to:* A citizen of a borough or town, especially one belonging to middle class* A resident of a burgh* A formally defined class in medieval German cities, usually the only group from which city officials could be drawn...
s and the Free Royal Cities Act
Free Royal Cities Act
The Free Royal Cities Act was an act adopted by the Four-Year Sejm of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth on April 18, 1791, in the run-up to the adoption of the...
. Behind the king, holding his hands to his head, is Prince Antoni Stanisław Czetwertyński-Światopełk (6), another opponent of the Constitution, known for being on a Russian payroll; he would be imprisoned and hanged a few years later during the Kościuszko Uprising. Underneath him is another opponent of the constitution, Antoni Złotnicki.
In the group of people gathered below the king, in another acknowledgement of the burghers' importance, is burgher Jan Kiliński
Jan Kilinski
Jan Kiliński was one of the commanders of the Kościuszko Uprising. A shoemaker by trade, he commanded the Warsaw Uprising of 1794, an uprising against the Russian garrison in Warsaw. He became a member of Polish provisional government as well.Jan Kiliński was born in Trzemeszno, a minor town in...
(4), one of the leaders of the Kościuszko Uprising. To his right, at the edge of the crowd, is the priest Clemens Maria Hofbauer
Clemens Maria Hofbauer
Clemens Maria Hofbauer was a hermit and is the patron saint of Vienna.- Childhood and early priesthood :...
(5), a future Saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
, who at that time ran an orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
and a school in Warsaw.
Right
To the right of Sapieha are the peasant case defender, Stanisław Staszic (17), and, with his hand around Staszic, Andrzej Zamoyski (18), author of the Zamoyski Codex, an earlier attempt to reform the state. Beneath them, with an outstretched hand, is Kazimierz KonopkaKazimierz Konopka
Kazimierz Konopka was a Polish Jacobin, secretary of Hugo Kołłątaj, officer in the Polish Legions, aide-de-camp of Jan Henryk Dąbrowski. He gained notoriety for his involvements in the unrest and hangings in Warsaw during the Kościuszko Uprising.-Biography:Konopka was born in 1769 to a burgher...
(16), Kołłątaj's secretary and one of the Polish Jacobins
Polish Jacobins
Polish Jacobins was the name given to a group of late 18th century radical Polish politicians by their opponents.Polish Jacobins formed during the Great Sejm as an offshoot of the "Kołłątaj's Forge" of Hugo Kołłątaj Polish Jacobins (or Hugenots) was the name given to a group of late 18th century...
(with a French blue-white-red
Tricolour
A tricolour is a flag or banner more-or-less equally divided into three bands of differing colours...
flower in his hat, and holding the czekan—ax- and hammer-like weapon). To the right of Zamoyski is an unnamed peasant (19).
In another foreshadowing, to the right of them, riding a grey horse, in the uniform of the light cavalry of the Duchy of Warsaw
Duchy of Warsaw
The Duchy of Warsaw was a Polish state established by Napoleon I in 1807 from the Polish lands ceded by the Kingdom of Prussia under the terms of the Treaties of Tilsit. The duchy was held in personal union by one of Napoleon's allies, King Frederick Augustus I of Saxony...
, is the king's nephew, prince Józef Poniatowski. He would be commander-in-chief of the Duchy's army, and would die during the French invasion of Russia
French invasion of Russia
The French invasion of Russia of 1812 was a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. It reduced the French and allied invasion forces to a tiny fraction of their initial strength and triggered a major shift in European politics as it dramatically weakened French hegemony in Europe...
. At the time of the passing of the Constitution, he was the commander of the Warsaw garrison, and is shown keeping an eye on the procession, with his soldiers lined up and guarding the street.
At the very bottom right corner, an old Polish Jew (21) is on the edge of the scene; his hand making a Sy, git ("that's good") gesture.
List of characters
This is the list of characters portrayed on the painting and indicated with numbers on the associated guide picture:- Stanislaus Augustus (1732-1798), King of Poland 1764-1795
- Jan DekertJan DekertJan Dekert or Jan Dekiert was a Polish merchant, political activist and mayor of Warsaw . He was an activist arguing for more rights for the burghers in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, however he was also known as an opponent of Jewish merchants.He was born in the village of Bledzew. He...
(1738-1790), former City President (Mayor) of Warsaw - Elżbieta Grabowska (1748-1810), king's mistress (indicated location on the picture could be incorrect)
- Jan KilińskiJan KilinskiJan Kiliński was one of the commanders of the Kościuszko Uprising. A shoemaker by trade, he commanded the Warsaw Uprising of 1794, an uprising against the Russian garrison in Warsaw. He became a member of Polish provisional government as well.Jan Kiliński was born in Trzemeszno, a minor town in...
(1760-1819), shoemaker, member of the Warsaw City Council - Klemens Hofbauer (1751-1820), Redemptorist (priest)
- Antoni Stanisław Czetwertyński-Światopełk (1748-1794), Castellan of Przemyśl, opposed to the Constitution
- Franciszek Branicki (ca. 1730-1819), Grand Hetman of the Crown, opposed to the Constitution
- Hugo Kołłątaj (1750-1812), Underchancellor of the Crown, co-author of the Constitution
- Ignacy Potocki (1750-1809), Grand Marshal of Lithuania, co-author of the Constitution (indicated location on the picture could be incorrect)
- Adam Kazimierz Czartoryski (1734-1832), Prefect General of Podolia, supporter of the Constitution (indicated location on the picture could be incorrect)
- Stanisław Małachowski (1736-1809), Crown Marshal of the Grand Sejm, holding the Constitution in his handl
- Ignacy Zakrzewski (1745-1802), City President (Mayor) of Warsaw
- Tadeusz KościuszkoTadeusz KosciuszkoAndrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko was a Polish–Lithuanian and American general and military leader during the Kościuszko Uprising. He is a national hero of Poland, Lithuania, the United States and Belarus...
(1746-1817), Crown Army General - Kazimierz Nestor SapiehaKazimierz Nestor SapiehaPrince Kazimierz Nestor Sapieha was a Polish-Lithuanian noble .Kazimierz Sapieha was educated at the Knight School in Warsaw from 1767 until 1791, and served as Artillery General of Lithuania, from 1773 to 1793...
(1754-1798), Lithuanian Artillery General - Jan SuchorzewskiJan SuchorzewskiJan Suchorzewski was a Polish noble of the Zaremba coat of arms, soldier and politician. He held the title of the wojski of Wschowa. He was a deputy from Gniezno to the Sejm of 1786 and deputy from Kalisz to the Great Sejm of 1788-1792. He would be best remembered for his dramatic, theatrical...
(d. 1809), Wojski of Wschowa, opposed to the Constitution - Kazimierz KonopkaKazimierz KonopkaKazimierz Konopka was a Polish Jacobin, secretary of Hugo Kołłątaj, officer in the Polish Legions, aide-de-camp of Jan Henryk Dąbrowski. He gained notoriety for his involvements in the unrest and hangings in Warsaw during the Kościuszko Uprising.-Biography:Konopka was born in 1769 to a burgher...
(1769-1805), Hugo Kołłątaj's secretary - Stanisław Staszic (1755-1826), scientist and political writer
- Andrzej Zamoyski (1716-1792), Grand Chancellor of the Crown
- A peasant
- Józef Poniatowski (1763-1813), General-Major
- An old Jew
The following characters are not included in the guide picture:
- Aleksander Linowski, deputy of Kraków, and supporter of the Constitution
- Stanisław Kublicki (or Jan Kublicki), deputy of Inflanty, and an active supporter of the Constitution (sources vary with regards to his name)
- Feliks Turski, bishop of Kraków
- Tymoteusz Gorzeński, bishop of SmoleńskSmolenskSmolensk is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River. Situated west-southwest of Moscow, this walled city was destroyed several times throughout its long history since it was on the invasion routes of both Napoleon and Hitler. Today, Smolensk...
- Scipione PiattoliScipione PiattoliScipione Piattoli was an Italian priest who was politically active in Warsaw, Poland, during the Four-Year Sejm and participated in the drafting of the Constitution of May 3, 1791.-Life:Piattoli arrived in Poland in 1783...
, priest, secretary of king Poniatowski, supporter of the Constitution - Tadeusz Matuszewicz (Matusiewicz), deputy, supporter of the Constitution
- Dorothea von MedemDorothea von MedemDorothea von Medem was born a Gräfin of the noble German Baltic Medem family and later became Duchess of Courland...
(Dorothea Biron), Courland princess - Antoni Złotnicki, deputy of PodolePodolePodole may refer to:*Podolia, a region in Ukraine*Podole, Aleksandrów County in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship *Podole, Lipno County in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship...
, opponent of the constitution