The Salle de Salomon

Also known as the Company Room
or the Summer Room. In the villa bought from Lubomirski, this room was
octagonal in plan. It was lined with mirrors and a light-coloured stucco
shaped in oval and polygonal medallions, vases, and garlands. Painted
decorations alluded to water motifs. Following the expansion of the
Palace in 1788, the room gained a rectangular shape, most likely
according to a design by Domenico Merlini. In the summer residence of
Stanisław August, it was used as a lounge, where the King received his
guests. This was the place for conversing and playing Whist on two
tables. In 1793, the room was given a new decor, which contributed to
its present name. Monumental paintings by Marcello Bacciarelli depicting
the life of the Biblical King Solomon became the most important
elements of the room’s decoration. These paintings were destroyed during
the last war. However, owing to the accounts which preserved, we know
that the face of Solomon was modelled on Stanisław August himself. In
addition, some persons from the King’s entourage – mainly beautiful
ladies (including the King’s closest friend, Elżbieta Grabkowska) – were
depicted as the other characters present in the scenes. The comparison
of the Polish King to Solomon – known for his wisdom – conveyed
a symbolic meaning. In the time of the Enlightenment – the Age of Reason
– each of Europe’s monarchs wanted to liken themselves to Solomon.
Among the claimants to this name was Stanisław August, whom Voltaire
called the “Philosopher King”. The plafond of this room was decorated
with the depiction of Solomon’s Dream. The bevel, i.e. a slightly rounded, wide strip between the walls and the ceiling, contained the following scenes: Deliberation with King Hiram, Judgement of Solomon, and the Visit of the Queen of Sheba. The opposite walls were covered with two large canvases: Dedication of the Jerusalem Temple, and the Solomon’s Sacrifice.
The series was supplemented with painted depictions of arabesques and
the allegory of the Four Elements presented as animals (dolphin,
peacock, salamander, and lion) by Jan Bogumił Plersch, and gilded
mouldings, which contrast with the whiteness of the wall. The
arrangement of the Salle de Salomon, which combines paintings,
ornamental decorations, mouldings, and rich equipment, is exemplary of
Stanisław August’s interiors. The beautiful parquet – made of eight
types of wood – was designed by Johann Christian Kamsetzer.

Currently, the Salle de Salomon functions as a gallery of paintings.
The room houses, among others, four round paintings by Marcello
Bacciarelli – the so-called tondos, which depict the virtues of: Prudence, Justice, Clemency, and Courage.
These paintings originally hung in the Rotunda’s cupola, the current
location of the Four Times of the Day. It is worth paying attention to
the personification of Courage, which is modelled on Stanisław August. The virtue of Clemency is most likely the portrait of Elżbieta Grabowska.