Jerzy Siemiginowski-Eleuter
Encyclopedia
Jerzy Eleuter Szymonowicz Siemiginowski (ca. 1660 – ca. 1711) was a prominent Polish
painter and engraver
of the Baroque
, court painter of king John III Sobieski
and a Polish–Lithuanian noble. He is considered one of the most accomplished painters of Classical Baroque
in Poland, who joined in his works classical theory with genuine motives.
(Lwów) in today's Ukraine
(at that time in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth). In 1677 he was entrusted to the king John III Sobieski by his parents and was sent by the king to Rome
. Before he went to Rome he probably spent at least a year, possibly two, in Paris
. In 1682 due to recommendation of king John III he was admitted to Accademia di San Luca
in Rome, he receive the Knighthood of the Golden Spur and the title of Eques Auratus from the Pope Innocent XI
. On 11 January 1682 he also took first place award in the Academy's contest for two of his drawings Construction of the Tower of Babel, and God's anger caused by the building of a tower and was protected by the Pope's nephew
Livio Odescalchi. In Rome he was trained by Lazzaro Baldi
, Luigi Garzi
and Carlo Maratta
.
Shortly after his return to Poland in 1684 he was ennobled by the king and took the name of Chevalier
Eleuter (Greek
for free, independent). In 1687 John III granted him the village Łuka near Zolochiv
to confirm his nobility. After king's death he become secretary of Augustus II the Strong
and was a court painter
of Aleksander Benedykt Sobieski
. At that time he still worked in Wilanów
(Sobieski's suburban palace
) and supervised the construction of new palace's wings. In 1701 he was adopted by the impoverished noble family of Siemiginowski (he paid them lot of money for this privilege) and since that time he used their name. Siemiginowski was married four times and had 11 children. In 1704 he had a house in Warsaw and a manor house at Wielopole near Warsaw. He died probably between February 28, 1708 and March 13, 1711.
Siemiginowski-Eleuter was the main artist who was responsible for decorating and painting of the interior of Wilanów Palace
in Warsaw
. His painting was heavily influenced by French artists of the Baroque. Similarities with plafonds by Charles Le Brun
in his works (especially ceiling painting in Pavillon de l'Aurore in suburban Paris residence of Jean-Baptiste Colbert
at Sceaux
, 1671 or 1672) making his visit in Paris more probable. Inflences of Carlo Maratta and Nicolas Poussin
are also visible in his works (especially in his plafond
Allegory of Spring in the Queen's Bedroom inspired by Maratta's Flora and Changes in the Kingdom of Flora by Poussin). He painted antiquitised portraits
of the members of the royal family and made engravings in participation of Charles de La Haye. Siemiginowski painted many frescoes, notable for their many colors. His subject matter varied between dramatic scenes to peaceful landscapes. Among the most notable of his works are four plafonds of the four seasons in the Wilanów Palace. Siemiginowski established his own school of painting in Wilanów and was a renowned architect (participated in designing of the Town Hall in Zhovkva
). Many of his religious paintings
in Warsaw (Crucifixion in the Holy Cross Church
, Transfiguration in the Capuchin Church among others) were destroyed during the extensive bombardment of the city by the Germans in 1944.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
painter and engraver
Engraving
Engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...
of the Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
, court painter of king John III Sobieski
John III Sobieski
John III Sobieski was one of the most notable monarchs of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, from 1674 until his death King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. Sobieski's 22-year-reign was marked by a period of the Commonwealth's stabilization, much needed after the turmoil of the Deluge and...
and a Polish–Lithuanian noble. He is considered one of the most accomplished painters of Classical Baroque
Classicism
Classicism, in the arts, refers generally to a high regard for classical antiquity, as setting standards for taste which the classicists seek to emulate. The art of classicism typically seeks to be formal and restrained: of the Discobolus Sir Kenneth Clark observed, "if we object to his restraint...
in Poland, who joined in his works classical theory with genuine motives.
Life and professional career
Siemiginowski (born as Szymonowicz) was the son of a painter, Jerzy Szymonowicz and Teodozja née Korunka, born in LvivLviv
Lviv is a city in western Ukraine. The city is regarded as one of the main cultural centres of today's Ukraine and historically has also been a major Polish and Jewish cultural center, as Poles and Jews were the two main ethnicities of the city until the outbreak of World War II and the following...
(Lwów) in today's Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
(at that time in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth). In 1677 he was entrusted to the king John III Sobieski by his parents and was sent by the king to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. Before he went to Rome he probably spent at least a year, possibly two, in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. In 1682 due to recommendation of king John III he was admitted to Accademia di San Luca
Accademia di San Luca
The Accademia di San Luca, was founded in 1577 as an association of artists in Rome, under the directorship of Federico Zuccari, with the purpose of elevating the work of "artists", which included painters, sculptors and architects, above that of mere craftsmen. Other founders included Girolamo...
in Rome, he receive the Knighthood of the Golden Spur and the title of Eques Auratus from the Pope Innocent XI
Pope Innocent XI
Blessed Pope Innocent XI , born Benedetto Odescalchi, was Pope from 1676 to 1689.-Early life:Benedetto Odescalchi was born at Como in 1611 , the son of a Como nobleman, Livio Odescalchi, and Paola Castelli Giovanelli from Gandino...
. On 11 January 1682 he also took first place award in the Academy's contest for two of his drawings Construction of the Tower of Babel, and God's anger caused by the building of a tower and was protected by the Pope's nephew
Cardinal-nephew
A cardinal-nephew is a cardinal elevated by a Pope who is that cardinal's uncle, or, more generally, his relative. The practice of creating cardinal-nephews originated in the Middle Ages, and reached its apex during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word nepotism originally referred specifically to...
Livio Odescalchi. In Rome he was trained by Lazzaro Baldi
Lazzaro Baldi
Lazzaro Baldi was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active mainly in Rome.-Biography:Baldi was born in Pistoia and died in Rome. He was part of the large studio of Pietro da Cortona, and became adept at fresco technique. He painted a David and Goliath for Alexander VII in the Palazzo...
, Luigi Garzi
Luigi Garzi
Luigi Garzi was an Italian painter of the Baroque period. Born in Pistoia, and died in Rome, where he was one of the main pupils of Andrea Sacchi. He is also often referred to as Ludovico Garzi. In 1680 Garzi was appointed Regent of the Congregazione dei Virtuosi al Pantheon, the papal honor...
and Carlo Maratta
Carlo Maratta
Carlo Maratta or Maratti was an Italian painter, active mostly in Rome, and known principally for his classicizing paintings executed in a Late Baroque Classical manner. Although he is part of the classical tradition stemming from Raphael, he was not exempt from the influence of Baroque painting...
.
Shortly after his return to Poland in 1684 he was ennobled by the king and took the name of Chevalier
Chevalier
Chevalier is a class of membership in a French Order of Chivalry or order of merit.* a member of the Ordre National du Mérite* a rank in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres* a rank in the Legion d'honneur* a member of the Order of Palmes académiques...
Eleuter (Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
for free, independent). In 1687 John III granted him the village Łuka near Zolochiv
Zolochiv
Zolochiv is a town located in the Lviv Oblast of western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Zolochiv Raion ....
to confirm his nobility. After king's death he become secretary of Augustus II the Strong
Augustus II the Strong
Frederick Augustus I or Augustus II the Strong was Elector of Saxony and King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania ....
and was a court painter
Court painter
A court painter was an artist who painted for the members of a royal or noble family, sometimes on a fixed salary and on an exclusive basis where the artist was not supposed to undertake other work. Especially in the late Middle Ages, they were often given the office of valet de chambre...
of Aleksander Benedykt Sobieski
Aleksander Benedykt Sobieski
Aleksander Benedykt Stanisław Sobieski was the son of John III Sobieski, King of Poland, and his wife, Marie Casimire Louise de la Grange d'Arquien....
. At that time he still worked in Wilanów
Wilanów
Wilanów is a district of the city of Warsaw, Poland. It is home to historic Wilanów Palace, the "Polish Versailles," and second home to various Polish kings.-History:...
(Sobieski's suburban palace
Wilanów Palace
Wilanów Palace is a royal palace located in the Wilanów district, Warsaw. Wilanów Palace survived the time of Poland's partitions and both World Wars and has preserved its authentic historical qualities, also is one of the most important monuments of Polish culture.The palace and park in Wilanów...
) and supervised the construction of new palace's wings. In 1701 he was adopted by the impoverished noble family of Siemiginowski (he paid them lot of money for this privilege) and since that time he used their name. Siemiginowski was married four times and had 11 children. In 1704 he had a house in Warsaw and a manor house at Wielopole near Warsaw. He died probably between February 28, 1708 and March 13, 1711.
Siemiginowski-Eleuter was the main artist who was responsible for decorating and painting of the interior of Wilanów Palace
Wilanów Palace
Wilanów Palace is a royal palace located in the Wilanów district, Warsaw. Wilanów Palace survived the time of Poland's partitions and both World Wars and has preserved its authentic historical qualities, also is one of the most important monuments of Polish culture.The palace and park in Wilanów...
in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
. His painting was heavily influenced by French artists of the Baroque. Similarities with plafonds by Charles Le Brun
Charles Le Brun
Charles Le Brun , a French painter and art theorist, became the all-powerful, peerless master of 17th-century French art.-Biography:-Early life and training:...
in his works (especially ceiling painting in Pavillon de l'Aurore in suburban Paris residence of Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Jean-Baptiste Colbert was a French politician who served as the Minister of Finances of France from 1665 to 1683 under the rule of King Louis XIV. His relentless hard work and thrift made him an esteemed minister. He achieved a reputation for his work of improving the state of French manufacturing...
at Sceaux
Sceaux, Hauts-de-Seine
Sceaux is a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-Wealth:Sceaux is famous for the Château of Sceaux, set in its large park , designed by André Le Nôtre, measuring...
, 1671 or 1672) making his visit in Paris more probable. Inflences of Carlo Maratta and Nicolas Poussin
Nicolas Poussin
Nicolas Poussin was a French painter in the classical style. His work predominantly features clarity, logic, and order, and favors line over color. His work serves as an alternative to the dominant Baroque style of the 17th century...
are also visible in his works (especially in his plafond
Plafond
Plafond , in a broad sense, is any ceiling of any premise.Plafond can be product of monumental and decorative painting and sculpture; subject or ornamental – also is designated by the term "Plafond"...
Allegory of Spring in the Queen's Bedroom inspired by Maratta's Flora and Changes in the Kingdom of Flora by Poussin). He painted antiquitised portraits
Roman art
Roman art has the visual arts made in Ancient Rome, and in the territories of the Roman Empire. Major forms of Roman art are architecture, painting, sculpture and mosaic work...
of the members of the royal family and made engravings in participation of Charles de La Haye. Siemiginowski painted many frescoes, notable for their many colors. His subject matter varied between dramatic scenes to peaceful landscapes. Among the most notable of his works are four plafonds of the four seasons in the Wilanów Palace. Siemiginowski established his own school of painting in Wilanów and was a renowned architect (participated in designing of the Town Hall in Zhovkva
Zhovkva
Zhovkva is a city in the Lviv Oblast of western Ukraine, north of Lviv. It is the administrative center of the Zhovkivskyi Raion . The current estimated population is 13,500.-History:...
). Many of his religious paintings
Christian art
Christian art is sacred art produced in an attempt to illustrate, supplement and portray in tangible form the principles of Christianity, though other definitions are possible. Most Christian groups use or have used art to some extent, although some have had strong objections to some forms of...
in Warsaw (Crucifixion in the Holy Cross Church
Holy Cross Church, Warsaw
The Church of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic house of worship in downtown Warsaw, Poland. Located on Krakowskie Przedmieście opposite the main Warsaw University campus, it is one of the most notable Baroque churches in Poland's capital....
, Transfiguration in the Capuchin Church among others) were destroyed during the extensive bombardment of the city by the Germans in 1944.