Franciszek Karpiński (1741–1825) was one of the most eminent poets of the Polish Enlightenment, often called the “poet of the heart” and the “lover of Justyna”. The latter alludes to the title of one of his best‑known poems, „Do Justyny. Tęskność na wiosnę” (“To Justyna. Longing in Spring”), and the poet’s three unhappy loves: Marianna Brosell, Marianna Ponińska and Franciszka Koziebrodzka; they are sometimes referred to as his “poetic Justynas”.

Karpiński’s oeuvre, rich in emotion and sensibility, introduced the current of Sentimentalism into Polish literature. Among his best-known works are religious songs such as “Kiedy ranne wstają zorze” (“When the Morning Lights Arise”) and the carol “Bóg się rodzi” (“God is Born”), which remain deeply embedded in Polish tradition.

Final Years and Place of Burial

The poet died on 16 September 1825 in Chorowszczyzna, in what is now Belarus. He purchased this village in 1818 for 100,000 zlotys and spent the final years of his life there. He was buried in the cemetery of the Holy Trinity Missionary Church in Łysków, about four kilometres from Chorowszczyzna. He was a friend of the parish priest of this church, who later wrote his first biography. For many years the grave was neglected and partly forgotten.

Tomb

The poet’s tomb has a form reminiscent of a cottage, typical of cemeteries in Lithuania and Belarus, including the Bernardine Cemetery and Na Rossie in Wilno (Vilnius in present-day Lithuania). It is often noted in the literature that its appearance was allegedly inspired by a country cottage. The tombstone originally featured a rectangular stone plaque, set in a niche, with an inscription which, according to iconographic sources, may have read: “Oto mój domek ubogi” (“Behold, my poor little house”) or “Otóż mój dom ubogi” (“Well, my poor house”), a likely reference to to words from the elegy “Powrót z Warszawy na wise” (A Return from Warsaw to the Country”). The poet himself requested such an inscription in his last will and also indicated the place of his burial: by the path leading to the church. This wording, metaphorically referring to the body’s final resting place, undoubtedly conveys modesty.

The Inscription on the Gravestone

The tombstone features a play on words characteristic of Polish epitaphs of the period: the acronym D.O.M. (Domus Omnium Mortuorum – “house of all the dead”), often written as “house” and woven into the content of Polish sentences. The exact wording of the original inscription remains uncertain. As mentioned, the phrase “Oto mój domek ubogi” (“Behold, my poor little house”) can be read in a sketch of the tombstone by Wróblewski, published in “Tygodnik Ilustrowany” in 1907. However, the reliability of this drawing is doubtful: the style and size of the lettering do not match the original, and even the proportions of the plaque may be inaccurate. In Napoleon Orda’s earlier watercolour of 1877, the plaque appears much smaller, and the lettering is illegible. A note on the watercolour reads: “Otóż mój / dom ubogi / Franciszek Karpiński / żył 84 lata” (Well, my / poor little house / Franciszek Karpiński / lived 84 years”), which may be the original or an approximation. There is no conclusive evidence to determine the original text, though the version with a paraphrased quotation, while less likely, cannot be ruled out.

It is not known exactly when the tomb was built or who commissioned it. It was probably erected between 1826 and 1830, with Karpiński’s nephew – who lived in Chorowszczyzna with his family – and the local parish priest, a friend of the poet, likely involved in its construction. It is unclear whether they deliberately paraphrased the poet’s words or whether the inscription reflected his wishes.

Renovations and Changes

The tombstone was renovated in 1925 to mark the centenary of Franciszek Karpiński’s death. It is likely that the cross on top was replaced at that time: originally metal and set on a globe, it was later supplanted by a new undecorated concrete cross, as seen in a 1925 photograph. The slab with the inscription plaque was also altered from its earlier horizontal position, visible in earlier iconography, to a vertical one. Unfortunately, the inscription on the surviving photograph is illegible. During the restoration, the gravestone was covered with corrugated eternit panels. Vegetation was planted around the site, and the tomb was enclosed with concrete posts linked by chains, visible in the photograph.

In the third volume of Witold Karpyza’s “The Volkovysk Region. The Land of Volkovysk”, the author states that the inscription on the monument read “Oto mój domek ubogi” (“Behold, my poor little house”). He also provides his own drawing of the tomb, though its date is unknown. The content visible on the plaque in the rectangular niche reads:“Otóż mój / dom ubogi / Franciszek Karpiński / żył 84 lata” (Well, my / poor little house / Franciszek Karpiński / lived 84 years”). This wording probably reflects the 1925 version and is close to Napoelon Orda’s notes, suggesting the original inscription may have been similar and was reproduced on the newer plaque. Omitting the name of the person buried – as in Wróblewski’s drawing – is rare, even when it can be assumed that everyone knows whose grave it is.

Restoration after the Second World War

Another, though imprecise, piece of information cited by Karpyza is that “after the Second World War, on the initiative of a countryman living in Warsaw, Stefan Wasiukiewicz, the monument was renovated”. The tomb had fallen into disrepair and was partly forgotten after the war. It was only in the early 1990s, with the support of the Kościuszko Foundation, that the tombstone was restored by specialists from the PZL Wola Mechanical Works. This work was initiated by Stefan Wasiukiewicz. At that time, a new plaque was created by the Warsaw sculptor Eugeniusz Kozak, and its shape was altered. The plaque bears a low-relief portrait of the poet based on a graphic original which, despite its simplified form, preserves his characteristic facial features and long hair falling to his shoulders. Beneath the portrait is the inscription:

Otoż mój dom ubogi... / Franciszek Karpiński / 1741-1825 / Poeta / Twórca sielanki „Laura i Filon” / Pieśni: Kiedy ranne wstają zorze, / Wszystkie nasze dzienne sprawy, / Bóg się rodzi... // (Behold my poor house … / Franciszek Karpiński / 1741–1825 / Poet / Creator of the pastoral “Laura and Filon”, / Songs of reverences “When the Morning Lights Arise”, / “All Our Daily Cares”, / “God Is Born…”).

Ongoing care of the tomb is also maintained. Among its caretakers is Alina Jaroszewicz, headmistress of the I. Domeyko Polish Social School in Brest and long-standing president of the Brest regional branch of the Union of Poles in Belarus. The upkeep has also been supported on an ad hoc basis by local Poles and by groups of young people visiting from Poland.

Commemoration of Franciszek Karpiński in Holoskiv (Ukraine)

Two plaques commemorating the poet were placed in Holoskiv, Ukraine, his birthplace. The first, on the façade of the church, states that Franciszek Karpiński was born in this village: “Tum się rodził tu mnie ojciec stary uczczył virtu polskich chrystusowej wiary Franciszek Karpiński” (“Here I was born; here my aged father taught me the virtues of the Poles and the Christian faith – Franciszek Karpiński”). The second, inside the church, bears the inscription:

NA CHWAŁĘ PRZEDWIECZNEGO A KU PAMIĘCI TRWAŁEJ BOŻEGO ŚPIEWAKA / FRANCISZKA KARPIŃSKIEGO / 4.X.1741 w HOŁOSKOWIE, †4.IX.1825 w ŁYSKOWIE na LITWIE / Postawili, ze składek Rodaków, na miejscu dworu darowanego przez BRONISŁAWA DOBROWOLSKIEGO. / Proboszcz Ks. P. JASTRZĘBSKI, A. BOBROWNICKI, właśc. dóbr. / W ŁYSAKOWSKI dzierżawca dóbr. F. PIĘCHOWSKI wyst. rotmistrz, M. SŁUŻEWSKI, radca ces. / i gospodarze z HOŁOSKOWA: M. KIJOWSKI, J. RABICKI, M. TUTAK. / Kiedy ranne wstają zorze / Tobie ziemia, Tobie morze / Tobie śpiewa żywioł wszelki, / Bądź pochwalon Boże Wielki //.

(TO THE GLORY OF GOD’S ETERNAL SINGER AND HIS TRUE MEMORY / FRANCISZEK KARPIŃSKI / 4.X.1741 in HOŁOSKÓW, †4.IX.1825 in ŁYSKÓW, LITHUANIA / erected, from the contributions of the Compatriots, on the site of the manor donated by BRONISŁAW DOBROWOLSKI. / Priest P. JASTRZĘBSKI, A. BOBROWNICKI, owner of the estate. / W ŁYSAKOWSKI leaseholder of the estates. F. PIĘCHOWSKI cavalry captain, M. SŁUŻEWSKI, imperial counsellor / and HOŁOSKÓW landlords: M. KIJOWSKI, J. RABICKI, M. TUTAK. / When the morning stars are rising, /Earth and sea thy glories praising, / Join all nature’s voice in singing, / Praise to thee, Oh God, we’re bringing!)

Today in Holoskiv, Ukraine, there is also a monument in the form of a boulder with a cast-iron plaque commemorating the poet.

Summary

Franciszek Karpiński, the “poet of the heart” and “Justyna’s lover”, left a lasting mark on Polish literature and tradition. His tomb, long neglected, has been restored and is now under regular care, serving as an important element of cultural heritage.