Henry Singleton, R.A.

This painting depicts a momentous episode in Polish national history, when the celebrated nationalist hero Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko (1746–1817) was released from prison by Emperor Paul of Russia I (1754–1801) in 1796. A keen supporter of the liberty of Poland from Russian partitioning, Kościuszko was captured by the forces of Catherine the Great after the Battle of Maciejowice in October 1794. He languished in the fortress of St Peter and Paul in Saint Petersburg before Catherine's son and heir decided to release him after a change of foreign policy. An engraving by James Daniell (act. 1780–1820) after the painting explains that the original picture (completed in 1797) was painted under the immediate direction of the General, whilst he made his way to the United States of America after his release.

Infra-red imaging shows that the artist made subtle changes to the headdresses of both the General and Emperor, which is an indication that this is likely to be the artist's first attempt at the scene.

Engraved

In mezzotint by James Daniell, published 1798