Artist: Angelica Kauffmann (Maria Anna Angelika)
Museum: Royal Łazienki Museum (Warsaw, Poland)
Technique: Oil
Giuliana Pubblicola Santacroce (after 1746–1814), came from the Florentine Falconieri family; in 1767 she married Prince Antonio Pubblicola Santacroce. In 1790 the Primate—and King Stanisław August’s brother—Michał Poniatowski travelled to Rome andmet her through Cardinal François-Joachim de Pierre de Bernis, the French ambassador to Rome, with whom Giuliana had a liaison which lastedfor many years.Through the intermediary of Poniatowski, the Princess’ brother, Lelio Falconieri, was awarded the Order of the White Eagle a year later, on 3 May 1791, by Stanisław August. The portrait by Angelika Kauffmann was an expression of gratitude for the Polish king’s gesture. Princess Santacroce is depicted as the virtuous Roman Lucretia, who unable to bear shame, chose to die by her own hand. A somewhat unusual and intriguing detail in this conventional portrayal is the hazy outlineof a mysterious hand which seizes the Princess’ right hand in which sheis holding a dagger. In an emphatic letter to Giuliana Santacroce dated21 March 1782 Stanislaw August wrote: ‘Quand j’ai appercu sur le tableau cette main aérienne, qui paroit vouloir retenir le bras armé du poignard, j’ai cru sentir que la mienne se portait vouloir d’elle même àfaire la même chose…’ [See D. Juszczak, H. Małachowicz, The Stanisław August Collection of Paintings at the Royal Łazienki. Catalogue, Royal Łazienki Museum, Warsaw 2016, no. 54, pp. 213–215.]
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