A sculptural tribute to one of Poland and Lithuania’s most dramatic and ill-fated royal romances is soon to grace the courtyard of the Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.
The sculpture will commemorate King Zygmunt II August and his second wife, Barbara Radziwiłówna, whose relationship scandalized courts and sparked artistic inspiration for centuries.
The design of the sculpture, which won a competition held by the library, was created by artist Giediminas Piekurs. Sixteen artists submitted 25 designs, and the final selection was announced on December 10.
Piekurs’ concept—a striking blend of death, immortality, and love—will feature a stone pedestal engraved with the names and coats of arms of Zygmunt and Barbara. Atop the pedestal will rest a pillow, also made of stone, from which two gilded human skulls—one male and one female—symbolize the reunited lovers in death.
While the depiction of human skulls may seem morbid to modern eyes, it aligns with the Renaissance sensibility, where death was ever-present in art and culture. Valdas Puteikis, a cultural journalist and member of the judging panel, praised the design for its universal appeal. “This sculpture speaks about death and immortality in a way that is fresh, innovative, and avoids sculptural clichés,” he said, highlighting its potential to resonate with people across cultures, from Lithuania to Japan.
The romance between King Zygmunt II August and Barbara Radziwiłówna, often referred to as the “Romeo and Juliet” of Poland and Lithuania, became a source of national intrigue and sorrow. The two met in 1543 when Barbara, a young widow, caught the eye of the 23-year-old king. Their passionate love affair, however, was riddled with scandal. At the time, Zygmunt was still married to his first wife, Elizabeth of Austria, who died in 1547. The king, still in love with Barbara, secretly married her, causing an uproar at court due to her non-royal lineage.
Barbara’s marriage to the king was seen by many as a political maneuver by the powerful Radziwiłł family to increase their influence over the monarchy. The union was intensely controversial, and the young queen was ruthlessly insulted. Despite pressure to annul the marriage, Zygmunt remained steadfast and even considered abdicating the throne. Ultimately, he succeeded in having Barbara crowned as queen, but the marriage was short-lived—Barbara died six months later in 1551 under mysterious circumstances.
The whispers of foul play have persisted for centuries, with some rumors alleging that Barbara was poisoned by Bona Sforza, the Queen Mother, a member of the infamous Italian Sforza family. The heartbroken king, desperate to see his late wife one last time, was said to have sought out the help of an alchemist to perform a necromantic ritual.
The design of the sculpture, which won a competition held by the library, was created by artist Giediminas Piekurs. Sixteen artists submitted 25 designs, and the final selection was announced on December 10.
Piekurs’ concept—a striking blend of death, immortality, and love—will feature a stone pedestal engraved with the names and coats of arms of Zygmunt and Barbara. Atop the pedestal will rest a pillow, also made of stone, from which two gilded human skulls—one male and one female—symbolize the reunited lovers in death.
While the depiction of human skulls may seem morbid to modern eyes, it aligns with the Renaissance sensibility, where death was ever-present in art and culture. Valdas Puteikis, a cultural journalist and member of the judging panel, praised the design for its universal appeal. “This sculpture speaks about death and immortality in a way that is fresh, innovative, and avoids sculptural clichés,” he said, highlighting its potential to resonate with people across cultures, from Lithuania to Japan.
Poland-Lithuania’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’
The romance between King Zygmunt II August and Barbara Radziwiłówna, often referred to as the “Romeo and Juliet” of Poland and Lithuania, became a source of national intrigue and sorrow. The two met in 1543 when Barbara, a young widow, caught the eye of the 23-year-old king. Their passionate love affair, however, was riddled with scandal. At the time, Zygmunt was still married to his first wife, Elizabeth of Austria, who died in 1547. The king, still in love with Barbara, secretly married her, causing an uproar at court due to her non-royal lineage.
Barbara’s marriage to the king was seen by many as a political maneuver by the powerful Radziwiłł family to increase their influence over the monarchy. The union was intensely controversial, and the young queen was ruthlessly insulted. Despite pressure to annul the marriage, Zygmunt remained steadfast and even considered abdicating the throne. Ultimately, he succeeded in having Barbara crowned as queen, but the marriage was short-lived—Barbara died six months later in 1551 under mysterious circumstances.
The whispers of foul play have persisted for centuries, with some rumors alleging that Barbara was poisoned by Bona Sforza, the Queen Mother, a member of the infamous Italian Sforza family. The heartbroken king, desperate to see his late wife one last time, was said to have sought out the help of an alchemist to perform a necromantic ritual.
A cultural landmark
It is fitting that the sculpture will be housed at the Wróblewski Library, an institution that has long been an important cultural and scientific landmark for both Lithuania and Poland.
Originally established in 1912 by Tadeusz Wróblewski, a Vilnius lawyer, the library’s extensive collection includes books, manuscripts, coins, maps, and artworks from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Russia, and other neighboring countries.
After Wróblewski’s death in 1925, his collection was donated to the Polish state, with the stipulation that it remain in Vilnius. The library survived both the Soviet occupation and World War II, when it expanded its holdings and continued to serve as a crucial cultural hub under Soviet rule.
Following Lithuania’s independence, the institution was renamed the Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences in 2009, and today it houses over 3.7 million books and documents, preserving the shared history of the region.
Before Giediminas Piekurs’ design can take its place in the library’s courtyard, the Wroblewski Library needs to raise funds to bring the sculpture to life.
The library plans to obtain the necessary financing through public donations, aiming to ensure that this monumental piece of art can be enjoyed by both residents of Vilnius and visitors from around the world.
The sculpture’s unique and haunting depiction of Zygmunt and Barbara’s tragic love story promises to become a thought-provoking and enduring symbol of the complex history shared by Poland and Lithuania.
Before Giediminas Piekurs’ design can take its place in the library’s courtyard, the Wroblewski Library needs to raise funds to bring the sculpture to life.
The library plans to obtain the necessary financing through public donations, aiming to ensure that this monumental piece of art can be enjoyed by both residents of Vilnius and visitors from around the world.
The sculpture’s unique and haunting depiction of Zygmunt and Barbara’s tragic love story promises to become a thought-provoking and enduring symbol of the complex history shared by Poland and Lithuania.
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