350 years ago, Marshal Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski (1641—1702) acquired Ujazdów Castle and its associated estates, symbolically marking the beginning of the Royal Baths Park. Lubomirski ordered the construction of the Bath Pavilion at the foot of the Vistula escarpment, which, after transformations during the reign of King Stanisław August, became the Palace on the Isle. It is from Lubomirski’s Bath Pavilion that the name Łazienki (Baths) originated.


This anniversary became an opportunity for us to organize a temporary exhibition dedicated to the beginnings of the Łazienki Park and the figure of Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski. The following pages present selected objects from those displayed at the exhibition.

Portrait of Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski
unknown Painter, Poland, I. half of XVIII. century, oil on canvas
Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw

Portrait of Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski
unknown Painter, Poland, I. half of XVIII. century, oil on canvas
Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw

Horoscope for the acquisition of Ujazdów Castle
Tylman van Gameren, Warsaw, before February 16, 1674, pen and ink on paper
Print Room of the University of Warsaw Library

The horoscope indicates the exact date of Lubomirski’s acquisition of Ujazdów as February 15, 1674, at the 21 pm, which, according to the convention of counting hours from noon, that was used, among others, in horoscopes, means 9 am of the following day.

Horoscope for the acquisition of Ujazdów Castle
Tylman van Gameren, Warsaw, before February 16, 1674, pen and ink on paper
Print Room of the University of Warsaw Library

Cross-section of the Bathhouse
Swedish draftsman (Magnus Stenbock?), Poland, Sweden, 1705, ink and watercolor on paper
Nationalmuseum (Stockholm)

This is one of four drawings stitched together presenting the Bathhouse, which serve as evidence of the presence of Swedes in Warsaw during the Great Northern War. The draftsman likely completed them from memory, which is why they contain inaccuracies.


The illustration presented here primarily draws attention to the central room of the Bathhouse, called the Grotto, where a fountain was located (nowadays that space is occupied by the Rotunda).

Cross-section of the Bathhouse
Swedish draftsman (Magnus Stenbock?), Poland, Sweden, 1705, ink and watercolor on paper
Nationalmuseum (Stockholm)

Lubomirski came from a magnate family. His father held the offices of Grand Marshal of the Crown and Field Crown Hetman, and he is primarily remembered in history as the leader of the revolt against King Jan Kazimierz, known as the Lubomirski’s Rebellion (1665—1666).

Marriage Medal of Jerzy Sebastian Lubomirski and Konstancja Ligęzianka, parents of Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski
unknown medallist, Poland, 1637–1648 (?), gold casting
Wrocław City Museum

Marriage Medal of Jerzy Sebastian Lubomirski and Konstancja Ligęzianka, parents of Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski
unknown medallist, Poland, 1637–1648 (?), gold casting
Wrocław City Museum

Marriage Medal of Jerzy Sebastian Lubomirski and Konstancja Ligęzianka, parents of Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski
unknown medallist, Poland, 1637–1648 (?), gold casting
Wrocław City Museum

Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski was a significant figure on the political stage of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1676, he received the highest ministerial office from King Jan III — the Grand Marshal of the Crown.

The painting depicts a feast held in 1684 in honor of Venetian envoys. Among the feasters, we can see, among others, Jan III (no. 1), Lubomirski (no. 4), and Queen Maria Kazimiera (no. 25).

Banquet in Jaworów
Frans Geffels, circa 1685, oil on canvas
National Museum in Wrocław

Banquet in Jaworów
Frans Geffels, circa 1685, oil on canvas
National Museum in Wrocław

An important part of Lubomirski’s legacy is his literary work. Due to his broad intellectual horizons, he was referred to as the Polish Solomon. One of the works authored by the marshal was Tobias Unbound — a paraphrase of the Old Testament Book of Tobias. The biblical text combines religious themes with adventure and travel, making it attractive to contemporary writers.

Tobias Unbound
Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski, Warsaw, 1683, print, Polish language
National Ossoliński Institute Library, Old Prints Department

Tobias Unbound
Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski, Warsaw, 1683, print, Polish language
National Ossoliński Institute Library, Old Prints Department

Lubomirski met Louis XIV when, as a nineteen-yearold, he went on a tour of Europe, during which he stayed in Paris for almost a year. He later maintained a correspondence with the sovereign, providing him with information that was important in his own opinion. However, this was not a peer-to-peer relationship — Louis’s replies are mostly of a courteous nature. The letter presented here contains a handful of courtesies and a response to Christmas wishes.

Letter from Louis XIV to Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski
Versailles, February 24, 1685, ink on paper,
National Museum in Krakow, Czartoryski Princes’ Library

Letter from Louis XIV to Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski
Versailles, February 24, 1685, ink on paper,
National Museum in Krakow, Czartoryski Princes’ Library

Lubomirski was married twice (to Zofia Opalińska and Elżbieta Denhoff), and he had a daughter and three sons, one of whom, Teodor, inherited the Ujazdów estates after his father’s death. Teodor’s son sold them to King Stanisław August, marking the beginning of the most famous period in the history of Łazienki.


This exhibition features a gown that was recovered from the sarcophagus of Stanisław Herakliusz’s first wife during archaeological excavations of the crypt of the church in Końskowola near Puławy.

Portrait of a Young Lady with Flowers (Zofia Opalińska Lubomirska?)
foreign painter active in Poland in the, mid-17th century, circa 1665–1670
oil on canvas
National Museum in Warsaw

Portrait of a Young Lady with Flowers (Zofia Opalińska Lubomirska?)
foreign painter active in Poland in the, mid-17th century, circa 1665–1670
oil on canvas
National Museum in Warsaw

More information about the exhibition
THE ART OF THINKING WELL.
THE LEGACY OF STANISŁAW HERAKLIUSZ LUBOMIRSKI
BUY
TICKET
More information about the exhibition
THE ART OF THINKING WELL.
THE LEGACY OF STANISŁAW HERAKLIUSZ LUBOMIRSKI
BUY
TICKET
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