The Savior of the World (Salvator Mundi)
The authorship of the mysterious image of the Savior of the World (Salvator Mundi) has long been attributed to Leonardo da Vinci himself, although now experts are inclined to see it as the work of one of the disciples of the master.
Most of the paintings associated with Leonardo's circle were purchased for the Wilanów collection by Stanisław Kostka Potocki, his son Aleksander, and grandson August along with his wife, Aleksandra Potocka.
Most of the paintings associated with Leonardo's circle were purchased for the Wilanów collection by Stanisław Kostka Potocki, his son Aleksander, and grandson August along with his wife, Aleksandra Potocka.
Portrait of a Girl with Forget-Me-Nots (Princess)
This portrait by Lucas Cranach the Elder dating from 1526 is marked with the sign of a winged serpent. It depicts a mysterious beauty whose identity has not yet been determined. She holds a sprig of forget-me-nots in her hand, which may mean that it is a portrait of a bride remembering her beloved.
Young Man with a Pipe, Blowing on Coals and Youth Lighting a Torch
Both paintings were the work of the Dutch painter Jan Lievens, who was inspired by, among others, Caravaggio and Rembrandt. These works from about 1625 reflect primarily the influence of the first of these two great masters, a style whose practitioners were known as Carravagisti. At first these two paintings were considered to be a paired set.
Today, however, we know that the first has the character of a genre scene; it documents the novelty of the fashion for smoking a pipe. In turn, the second image can be interpreted as an allegorical representation of the element of fire.
Today, however, we know that the first has the character of a genre scene; it documents the novelty of the fashion for smoking a pipe. In turn, the second image can be interpreted as an allegorical representation of the element of fire.
Madonna del Velo
This painting belongs to a group of nearly 120 known copies of the work of Rafael Santi under the same title, created in 1509. Today, the original work of the master is considered to be the painting which is kept in Chantilly.
The Wilanów version comes from the collection of August and Aleksandra Potocki, and was acquired before 1850. To the composition taken from Raphael, the figure of the founder and the angel hovering over all were added.
The Wilanów version comes from the collection of August and Aleksandra Potocki, and was acquired before 1850. To the composition taken from Raphael, the figure of the founder and the angel hovering over all were added.
