Devil

The painting titled Devil by Jan Matejko is a compelling example of a religious painting rooted in Romanticism. This sketch depicts Twardowski conjuring the spirit of Barbara before Sigismund August, capturing the mystical and emotional intensity characteristic of Romantic art. The work, created on a 26 × 40 cm board in Krzesławice and now housed in the National Museum in Warsaw, exemplifies Matejko’s detailed sketching process. While it remains an unrealized piece, it reflects the artist’s fascination with folklore, spiritualism, and historical themes, bridging the gap between reality and the supernatural through a vivid, evocative style.