Matejko was deeply interested in the era of the
Renaissance in Poland, and this painting is one of a number of
historical paintings that he set in that period. The composition is very colorful, yet realistic. Bishop
Jan Chojeński is also shown on the painting, consecrating the bell, with canon
Grzegorz Lubrański nearby. Outside the court, master bell-founder
Hans Beham is seen above the bell. Between him and the court there are two dark-clad figures. These are the Wawel architect
Bartolommeo Berrecci, and a musician,
Valentin Bakfark, who according to a legend threw a string from his instrument into the melted bronze (in fact, he arrived in Poland two decades after the bell was cast). In the background,
Wawel Castle can be seen. As he would often do, Matejko included people whom he considered significant for the era, but who could not be present in the scene, like Sigismund I's son,
Sigismund II August, who would have been only one year old. In 1885 Matejko would paint a sequel-like picture,
Zygmunt I słuchający Dzwonu Zygmunta (Sigismund I listening to the Sigismund Bell), showing an older Sigismund and Stańczyk, contemplating the passing of
their era. ==References==