Artwork

The Polish-Lithuanian Union in Lublin

The Polish-Lithuanian Union in Lublin, by Marcello Bacciarelli, oil, 1781
The Polish-Lithuanian Union in Lublin, by Marcello Bacciarelli, oil, 1781

The Polish-Lithuanian Union in Lublin is an oil painting by Marcello Bacciarelli. It dates from 1781 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1781 by the Italian‑born painter Marcello Bacciarelli, this oil on canvas portrays the historic alliance between Poland and Lithuania. The work is part of the National Museum in Kraków’s collection and reflects the transitional artistic climate of the late‑Baroque moving toward Neoclassicism.

Subject & Meaning

The composition gathers a mixed group of figures, some in formal court dress and others in simpler attire, assembled within an imposing interior. Central to the scene is a blue banner bearing a heraldic emblem, underscoring the political significance of the 1569 union that linked the two states.

Technique & Style

Bacciarelli employs a palette typical of late‑Baroque richness, yet the arrangement of figures and the restrained rendering of architectural elements anticipate Neoclassical clarity. Brushwork balances detailed costume rendering with broader, atmospheric treatment of the surrounding space.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Polish‑Lithuanian Commonwealth’s elite collections before being transferred to the National Museum in Kraków, where it remains on public display.

Context

The work was produced during a period of renewed interest in national foundations, as the Commonwealth faced internal reforms and external pressures. By visualising the Lublin Union, Bacciarelli contributed to contemporary dialogues about statehood and shared heritage.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Marcello Bacciarelli

Artist

Marcello Bacciarelli

Marcello Bacciarelli (Italian pronunciation: ; 16 February 1731 – 5 January 1818) was an Italian-born painter of the late-baroque and Neoclassic periods active in Poland and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.