Chapel of St. Benedict, Boniface and Ladislaus (Royal): altar painting

The Royal Chapel was founded by the King Ladislaus IV. The founder wished to dedicate it to his patron saint. The altar painting depicts the saint in the company of St. Benedict.

The original painting, painted in 1635-36, has not survived. Its author was George (Georg) Zimmermann. At the time, St. Ladislaus was accompanied by St. Sigismund, the patron saint of the King Sigismund III (father of Ladislaus IV). Around 1738, a new painting was placed in the altar,the one that we can still admire. Its authorship is attributed to Antoni Frączkiewicz. However, it is disputed, and other possible artists are mentioned, including Szymon Chekhovich (1689-1775), among others.

According to the accounts that have been preserved, the gilding of the ceiling and altar was done by painters Stanislaw Boja (called Vodka) and Jan Chryzostom Proszowski (1599-after 1677). The latter abandoned his work in Bielany in the middle, which brought him before the court. In the end, the decoration of the Royal Chapel was handled by Italian master Thomas Dolabella (c. 1570-1650), court painter to the kings of the Vasa dynasty. He received the substantial sum of 1,200 zlotys for it.