The story of the tragic love of King Zygmunt Augustus and Barbara Radziwill was very close to the artist. In the sketch, he gave the pair in love a resemblance to himself and his wife Theodora.
In the background, Mateyko placed a portrait of Queen Bona, an opponent of the union of Zygmunt and Barbara. Queen Bona as if watching the lovers.
Related Paintings 
Zygmunt August y Barbara Radziwill – Jan Aloysius Matejko 
Sigmund August et Barbara Radziwill – Jan Aloysius Mateiko 
Blind Vit Stvosh with granddaughter by Jan Aloizy Matejko 
Battle of Grunwald by Jan Aloysius Matejko 
Prussian Tribute by Jan Aloiy Mateiko 
Hommage prussien – Jan Aloysius Matejko 
Portrait of Barbara Durer by Albrecht Durer 
Jupiter and Antipa by Jean Antoine Watteau
Zygmunt August y Barbara Radziwill – Jan Aloysius Matejko Sigmund August et Barbara Radziwill – Jan Aloysius Mateiko Blind Vit Stvosh with granddaughter by Jan Aloizy Matejko Battle of Grunwald by Jan Aloysius Matejko Prussian Tribute by Jan Aloiy Mateiko Hommage prussien – Jan Aloysius Matejko Portrait of Barbara Durer by Albrecht Durer Jupiter and Antipa by Jean Antoine Watteau