Artwork
Jesus and doubting Thomas, II
Jesus and doubting Thomas, II is an oil painting by Franciszek Smuglewicz. It dates from 1786 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1786 by Franciszek Smuglewicz, a Polish‑Lithuanian draughtsman and painter, *Jesus and Doubting Thomas, II* is an oil on canvas now held by the National Museum in Warsaw. The work illustrates the biblical episode in which the resurrected Christ invites the skeptical Thomas to verify his wounds.
Subject & Meaning
At the centre, Christ rests his hand on his chest while a figure, identified as Thomas, reaches to touch the wound in his side. Around them stand several onlookers, their solemn expressions underscoring the moment’s gravity and the theme of faith versus doubt.
Technique & Style
Smuglewicz employs a restrained palette of earthy tones against a darkened background, using chiaroscuro to model the figures and give them three‑dimensional presence. The composition focuses on narrative clarity, echoing the conventions of late‑Baroque religious painting while maintaining a sober, didactic tone.
History & Provenance
The painting belongs to the oeuvre of Smuglewicz, who founded the Vilnius school of art and is regarded as an early proponent of historicism in Polish painting. After its creation, the work entered the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, where it remains on display.
Context
Executed during a period when Smuglewicz was shaping a nascent Lithuanian artistic identity, the piece reflects the broader Enlightenment‑era interest in biblical subjects rendered with rational clarity. Its emphasis on moral instruction aligns with contemporary religious art intended for public edification.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Franciszek Smuglewicz (Lithuanian: Pranciškus Smuglevičius; 6 October 1745 – 18 September 1807) was a Polish-Lithuanian draughtsman and painter.
