Another publication by the Polonica Institute, extending knowledge of Polish artistic foundations in France, has been published in the scientific series 'Studies and Materials'.

After an unsuccessful attempt to regain the throne of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1733, King Stanisław Leszczyński went into exile once again. As a result of complex political arrangements, he took possession for life of the Duchies of Lorraine and Bar, which, after his death, his daughter Maria was to give as a belated dowry to her husband, King Louis XV of France.

Leszczynski's long stay in Lorraine resulted in numerous works of architecture, above all the great rebuilding of Nancy. The Royal Square, founded on his initiative, has been called Place Stanislas since the 19th century. The Polish and Lorraine monarch also founded the new church of Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours in Nancy, built between 1738 and 1741 to a design by Emmanuel Héré, who was appointed King Stanislas' first architect. The monarch intended the church as a mausoleum for himself and his wife, Catherine of Opalinski.

Despite the devastation brought by the French Revolution, the church has preserved, in addition to the most valuable tombstones of the king, the queen, Franciszek Maksymilian Ossoliński and the heart of Maria Leszczyńska, many relics from the time of the foundation and later - Polish monuments of great artistic and historical value. Over time, the church became an important place of not only religious but also patriotic pilgrimages of Poles in the 19th and 20th centuries.

This monument has long been known to Polish researchers and has already been the subject of several scientific articles. However, a comprehensive monograph has been produced, which is the result of a several-year research programme carried out by seasoned specialists. It brings many new findings based on source research. It is also enriched with extensive illustrative material, including hitherto unpublished iconographic accounts.

We hope that the publication Church de-Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours in Nancy . Polish Royal Mausoleum in Lorraine by Paweł Migasiewicz and Jakub Sito will prove to be an intriguing read not only for connoisseurs of the period.

Author: Paweł Migasiewicz, Jakub Sito

Language editing: Piotr Herbich

Translation: Paweł Migasiewicz (into French)
Anna Gołąbek-Asikainen (into English)
Paweł Migasiewicz (translation of French and Latin source texts)
Nicolas Richard (linguistic consultation of the French texts)

Year of publication: 2023

Number of pages: 296

Binding: soft

ISBN: 978-83-66172-74-6