The Picture Gallery

It was arranged according to
a design by Johann Christian Kamsetzer, after the reconstruction of
1788. It is a spacious interior built on the plan of a long rectangle,
situated in the northern bay of the Palace, and intended for the display
of paintings. During the day, this location ensured the best lighting
conditions for admiring works of art. It was here that, in the times of
Stanisław August, the most precious works of art from his collection
were shown. The numerous extraordinary objects comprised as many as six
paintings by Rembrandt including The Girl in a Picture Frame and The Scholar at His Writing Table. At the time, the room was also used as a billiard room.

The walls of the Gallery are lined with green canvas. Even today, the
room’s appearance is marked by the multiple paintings in gilded and
dark frames hanging on the walls. These canvases have been hung in
accordance with the 18th century technique, forming a decorative
wallpaper. The dark frames harmonize with the fireplace made of black
marble (dębnik) mined near Cracow, which occupies the opposing
wall. The fireplace’s model was made in 1790 by Giuseppe Amadio and
Paolo Casasopra. At the top of the fireplace, above the mirror, hangs
a round medallion with a bust of Antoninus (copy of a bas-relief from
Villa Albani), framed with gilded griffins. Near the fireplace stand
monuments from Stanisław August’s collection: Venus de' Medici (made in c. 1774-1776) and Faun with Kid
(before 1790). These are the creations of the first Royal sculptor,
André Le Brun, modelled on the Ancient originals. Stanisław August
wanted to include the latter sculpture in the museum of sculpture, which
he was planning to establish at the time. Sleeping Cupid by
Francesco Lazzarini lies in the background of the fireplace. The
fireplace is also adorned with a Classicist clock, which belonged to the
Gallery’s initial arrangement.