#alchimowicz

“Gedymin's Funeral” (1888)

by Kazimierz Alchimowicz (Polish;1840 - 1916 )

oil on canvas

″Milda, Goddes of Love” (1890) Kazimierz Alchimowicz (Polish;1840-1916), oil on canvas; Private collection

Kazimierz Alchimowicz - "Obrona Olsztyna" - 1881; oil on canvas.

Olsztyn near Czestochowa lies on the route of "Eagle Nests", in this city was built on the initiative of King Casimir the Great in the years 1349 to 1359 the castle with the security guard on the border of Silesia and Lesser Poland. However, already at this place was strongly fortified stronghold. Defence of Olsztyn near Czestochowa is associated with the struggles of the Polish throne after the death of Stefan Batory between supporters of Sigismund III Vasa, and the Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg. After an unsuccessful attempt to gain Krakow the Archduke army numbering about 4,000 soldiers, aided by his Polish supporters: family Zborowski and Stanislaus famous "Devil" Stadnicki moved to Krzepice. In mid-December 1587 stood under the walls of the castle in Olsztyn. The commander of the defense was Casper Karliński. The crew of the castle consisted of 80 soldiers supported by the local nobility. After several unsuccessful attempts to get Olsztyn Stadnicki Karliński invaded his mansion and kidnapped his son. The Austrians tried to force the Polish commander to surrender, threatening that his son will serve as a curtain with assault. It is then Casper Karliński said the words: "First I was a Pole than the father," and he fired a cannon to kill the invading Austrians, including his son. To this day, around the area the legend is known that the son of a brave Polish commander haunts ruins of the castle. In the central part of the image Casper Karliński is shown wearing hussar cuirass, holding a sword in his right hand and with his left hand pushing away his wife and preparing to shoot out of a cannon for the upcoming Austrians. The shot will bring the death of his son.

The note is translated from original polish version, at the site: