Portrait of Copernicus at the Warsaw Astronomical Observatory

The figure is depicted up to the waist, facing left, with a lily in the left hand. Above the figure‘s head is the inscription: „D. NICOLAVS COPERNICVS DOCTOR ET CANONICUS WARMIENSIS ASTRONOMUS CELEBERRIMUS NATVS EST A. 1473 OBIIT A. 1543 11 JUNIJ“ [Mr. Nicolaus Copernicus, Doctor and Canon of Warmia, the most famous astronomer, was born in the year 1473, died on June 11, 1543]. The place and date of Copernicus‘ death have been the subject of research for many years. The displayed date of the astronomer's death – June 11 – as mentioned in the biographies of scholars such as Jakob Heinrich Zernecke and Johann Heinrich Dewitz, has been challenged, as well as the fact that Toruń was the place of his death and burial. Among the dates of his death, May 24 is also mentioned, as stated by the physician Matthias Stoius. However, based on the preserved documents, it was ultimately accepted that Nicolaus Copernicus died on May 21 in Frombork, where he was also buried. In the upper right corner, there is the coat of arms of the burgher of Nicolaus Copernicus, reminiscent of the combination of the letters „H“ and „L.“ On the left side of the figure, there is another inscription: „NON PAREM PAVLO VENAM REQVIRO GRATIM PETRI NEQ POSCO SED QVAM IN CRUCIS LIGNO DEDERAS LATRONI SEDVLVS ORO“ [I do not ask for grace equal to that of St. Paul or forgiveness like that granted to St. Peter, but for the same as you gave to the thief on the cross, I earnestly pray]. The author of the text featuring the astronomer on the portrait was Enea Sylvio Piccolomini, Bishop of Warmia, humanist, cardinal, and later Pope Pius II, who dedicated these words to Emperor Frederick III in 1444. The same inscription can also be found on the epitaph of Nicolaus Copernicus from before 1589, located in the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Toruń.