The painting project was related to the 400th anniversary of the birth of the great astronomer. Henryk Levittoux, a doctor, naturalist and friend of the Matejko household, posed for the sketch. The great scientist was presented by Matejko on the terrace, against the background of Frombork's buildings with the visible Vistula Lagoon and the gothic cathedral on the right, near which the astronomer spent most of his life as the canon of the chapter.