“The Murder of Wapowski during the Coronation of Henri Valois” (1861) was painted by Jan Matejko (1838-1893), one of the greatest Polish painters. Originally this masterpiece was purchased by Prince Wladyslaw Sanguszko. Then it was exhibited on Wawel Castle, Cracow, diring Matejko’s jubilee and in 1894 in Lvov (Matejko’s Pavilion) where it was seen for the last time. The masterpiece was presumed lost but lately it re-emerged in the private collection of collector who wishes to remain anonymous.

“The Murder of Wapowski during the Coronation of Henri Valois” is an early work of Matejko, and it depicts an incident that occurred at Wawel Castle in 1574.

Wapowski, a dignitary of the crown, was mortally injured when he attempted to intervene in a fight between two noblemen on the coronation day of Henri Valois, Poland's first elected monarch.

Painting can be viewed at the Royal Castle, Cracow, January 10 to 22, 2012. 

Currently, the future of the canvas is uncertain. Only when the sponsors will buy this unique painting, it has a chance to stay in Poland and enrich Polish painting collection.

Wawel Royal Castle
The National Art Collection
31-001 Kraków, Wawel 5
Tourist Information:
(+48 12) 422 51 55 ext. 219
http://www.wawel.krakow.pl/en/ 

sources: culture.pl, thenews.pl