How a long-lost painting of Tadeusz Kosciuszko found its home at the KF New York: a story by KF trustee Ms. Krystyna Piórkowska
Tadeusz Kosciuszko has, after two hundred years arrived in the Foundation’s home, where we can be reminded every day that freedom is not given and must be fought for, protected and cherished. It also reminds us that some enemies remain perpetually on our horizon.
We are thrilled to share this inspiring story from the latest edition of the Kosciuszko Foundation newsletter, written by Ms. Krystyna Piórkowska—the KF trustee, esteemed donor, devoted supporter, and dear friend of the Foundation. In her piece, she recounts the gripping tale of how she successfully acquired a long-lost painting of Tadeusz Kościuszko, which briefly reappeared at a Sotheby’s auction in 2023. Within just three days, Ms. Piórkowska reached out to Marek Skulimowski, secured the painting, and then generously donated it to the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York. This is how she recounts the process:
“On the afternoon of April 2, 2023, I sent an email to Pan Marek, i.e. Marek Skulimowski enclosing a link to the Sotheby’s Auctions webpage. The link led to a painting of Tadeusz Kościuszko which was listed in an on-line auction; which although occurring in London, was scheduled to end in the morning hours (NYC time) of the 5th. He responded most quickly, informing me that he had already noticed the item, and when I asked if the Kosciuszko Foundation would want the painting, he said that it would go for a price significantly higher than the estimate. We began a discussion, since we had less than three days in which to gather information and for me to make my decision.
The painting is significant because it was created during Kościuszko’s visit to London, shortly after his release from Tsarist prison. The artist, Henry Singleton, R.A., had met with Kościuszko, who described the encounter, when Russian Tsar Paul I visited him and presented him with a release, conditioned on his never returning to the ‘nad-Wiślański kraj’ i.e. a by then partitioned Poland. Thus, it is the only verified representation of that famous encounter. Therefore, one could accept that it was the most faithful report on the event… The painting itself had disappeared almost immediately after it was created, and this was the first actual sighting in some 200 years. Until now, it was only known from a lithograph created almost concurrently to the painting. That, however, is only part of the saga, since the second part involves the bidding process as well as a desire not to enter into a bidding competition with the Polish Diaspora or Poland.
I write our decisions, since I needed to be certain that the Kościuszko Foundation would want this painting in their collection (albeit, I could hang it at home, I truly believed it belonged in the KF House, even though it was not by a Polish artist). If, in fact the Foundation wanted the painting, we needed to ensure that I was not bidding against a Polonia institution or an entity of the Polish government. As mentioned, the time left was short, since although we knew who the possible Polonia players were, we had no idea who or if anyone in Poland was planning to bid. By late Tuesday Mr. Skulimowski was able to determine who would be bidding and what their limit was. I can assure everyone that it is stressful when one is bidding blindly on the internet, more so than in a physical auction, and I had to be assured several times that the institution would not bid higher than their announced limit. As each increment amounted to 1,000 Pounds, it would be easy to see when the threshold was crossed. Some 20 minutes prior to the end, the Polish bid had been exceeded by 1,000 British Pounds. It was my turn to bid and wait for the auction on that item to end. After an additional and interminable period, I was elated to see that no one had outbid me, and the painting would soon enter the collection of the Kosciuszko Foundation.
Afterwards, it was simply the process of payment and arranging for the painting to be delivered to the front hall of the Kosciuszko Foundation in its custom made wooden ‘travelling case’. Of course, we later arranged for a conservator to study it, and I corresponded with the Sotheby’s specialist to see if we could garner any more information about the missing period. Oh, and yes, the formality of an agreement to donate in perpetuity with standard restrictions (no selling it off, or donating, limited loan agreements, etc). 
Since I never saw it in my apartment, I still wonder how it would have looked on the north wall over my dining table, replacing my Witold Kalicki Cubist influenced view of Freta Street. Nonetheless, I am pleased that more people can enjoy it at the Kosciuszko Foundation than at my home.
Tadeusz Kosciuszko has, after two hundred years arrived in the Foundation’s home, where we can be reminded every day that freedom is not given and must be fought for, protected and cherished. It also reminds us that some enemies remain perpetually on our horizon.”
The Kosciuszko Foundation extends its sincere thanks to Ms. Krystyna Piórkowska for her generosity and unwavering support of our mission. Her donation of the painting Emperor Paul I of Russia Granting Liberty to General Kościuszko, 1797 by Henry Singleton is a significant addition to our Gallery of Polish Masters, one of the most esteemed collections of Polish art in the United States. Maintaining this collection vibrant and continually enriched is essential to preserving our shared cultural heritage.
We invite you to view this extraordinary artwork on display at the KF Gallery during your next visit to New York and upcoming events.
READ THIS STORY IN THE 2024 NEWSLETTER (pages 18-19), and discover the other inspiring articles in the KF’s newsletter at www.thekf.org/about-us/reports
Support our mission of preserving and promoting Polish culture by becoming a member of the Kosciuszko Foundation HERE
