Alchemist Sendivogius by Jan Matejko. A dramatic historical scene depicting an alchemist demonstrating a transmutation before a king and his attentive court beside a glowing hearth.
Click to zoom

Alchemist Sendivogius

Jan Matejko

1867 · Oil Paint, Panel

A masterful historical scene by Jan Matejko, capturing the mystery and drama of a 17th-century alchemical demonstration.

Unavailable

Frame size
Frame color
Mount
Paper type
Glaze

Made to order in ~2 business days · Free U.S. standard shipping (typically 5–8 business days after dispatch)

Where it works

A substantial artwork with a strong pulse with softened warm notes — holds a formal wall with confidence.

Often works in
Library · Study · Office
Placement
Works well when the wall can carry a broader statement
Walls
Reads strongest on light or mid-tone walls
Color notes
Deep burgundy, Charcoal black, Rich brown

About the piece

Painted in 1867 by Jan Matejko, this work depicts the legendary Polish alchemist Michał Sędziwój (Sendivogius) showing his craft to King Sigismund III Vasa. The composition is defined by the intense, flickering glow of the fireplace and the vivid expressions of the royal onlookers, rendered with Matejko's signature attention to historical costume and psychological depth.