Artwork

Portrait of Lawinia Radziwiłł née princess Korecka (ca. 1587–ca. 1641)

Portrait of Lawinia Radziwiłł née princess Korecka (ca. 1587–ca. 1641) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1735 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw. The work is an oil portrait of Lawinia Radziwiłł, born Princess Korecka, dated to the early seventeenth century.

About this work

Overview

The work is an oil portrait of Lawinia Radziwiłł, born Princess Korecka, dated to the early seventeenth century. Executed on canvas within a dark oval frame, the composition presents the sitter in a frontal pose, her gaze directed straight toward the viewer.

Subject & Meaning

Lawinia is depicted in a sumptuous blue gown trimmed with gold embroidery and a white fur collar, symbols of aristocratic wealth. Around her neck she wears a series of chains bearing a pendant and a shield‑shaped medal, reinforcing her noble lineage. A Latin inscription on a name scroll at the bottom identifies her title, underscoring the portrait’s function as a status record.

Technique & Style

The artist employs a refined oil technique, rendering the silk of the dress and the texture of the fur with subtle chiaroscuro. The use of a limited palette—deep blues, golds, and muted flesh tones—creates a restrained yet dignified atmosphere. The oval frame, painted in gold, integrates the portrait into its decorative setting.

History & Provenance

The painting is attributed to the period around 1587–1641, corresponding to Lawinia’s lifetime. It entered the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, where it is displayed among other Polish noble portraits, reflecting the museum’s focus on the country’s early modern elite.

Context

Portraits of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth’s magnates often emphasized clothing, insignia, and heraldic elements to convey political and familial connections. This work follows that convention, presenting visual evidence of the Radziwiłł family’s prominence within the Commonwealth’s social hierarchy.