Exhibition explores illustrious order of Poland's last king

King Stanislaus Augustus Poniatowski (r. 1764 -1795), who had been raised in the spirit of the Enlightenment, harboured grand plans for the political and cultural renewal of Poland on his election in 1764.

In the view of his biographer Adam Zamoyski, “there was hardly an area which the king neglected in his determination to refine the minds of his subjects.”

The current show is the first ever to be devoted to the Order of St. Stanislaus, which was created by the king in May 1765.

The curators have gathered highly rare crosses and stars, together with portraits, both painted and sculpted, of knights of the order, bringing to life some of the most colourful characters of the day.

Likewise included in the show is the original foundation document of the order, and a gold sword wrought in Warsaw for the coronation of King Stanislaus Augustus.

With the final dismemberment of the old Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795 by Russia, Prussia and Austria, the order ceased to exist.

However, it was revived after Napoleon created the semi-independent Duchy of Warsaw, which lasted 1807-1815. The subsequent Russian-ruled Congress Kingdom of Poland, which lasted until 1831 did likewise. However, the failed November Uprising against Russia 1830-1831 marked the end of the order in its traditional form.

'Praemiando Incitat: The Order of Saint Stanislaus 1765-1831' runs until 6 December 2015. (nh/rk)