Circe turning king Picus into a woodpecker

Lubieniecki employs a dark, tenebristic background that heightens the drama through chiaroscuro, contrasting the illuminated figures against deep shadows. The oil medium allows for rich coloration—the blue robe of Circe and the red cape of Picus—and subtle textural details, such as the fur of the cowering dog, that give depth to the scene.

Created at the close of the 17th century, the painting entered the National Museum in Warsaw’s holdings during the 20th century, though exact acquisition details remain sparse. Its presence in the museum’s collection reflects the institution’s broader effort to represent Polish Baroque art and its connections to classical mythology.