In the film “The Decline of Poland”, Mateiko saw the continuation of the story “The Sermons of Skarga”. It is based on real historical events that occurred in 1773 at the Sejm in Warsaw. The ambassador of the Novogrodsk land, Tadeusz Reitan, not wanting to allow the signing of documents authorizing the partition of Poland by foreign powers, rushed to the floor to block the entrance to the Senate Hall with his own body.
Against Reitan are the main culprits of the section: Frantisek Xavier Branicki, who hides his face, Prince Adam Poninsky pointing at the door with an imperative gesture and Stanislav Pototsky, who shyly restrains him. On the canvas of Mateiko, there are also persons who were not direct participants in the event – Frantisek Potocki, leaving the hall in indignation; just above the impotent king Stanislav August is depicted in profile, he holds a clock in his hands, symbolizing the end of his reign.
Many critics have responded to the emergence of this work by Mateiko. And not everyone is friendly. The writer Ignacy Kraszewski even stated: “It may be a beautiful picture, but not a good deal. We should not insult the mother’s corpse.”
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