The depiction of Jerzy Mniszech in a fur-lined coat (?) with fur collar, was part of the Royal Castle’s historic collections. Alongside the sculptures of Chronos and Fame, as well as a series of bronze busts of famous Polish personages and the painted decoration, it constitutes the iconographic scheme for the Knights’ Hall which was furnished in the years 1781–6 and was intended to commemorate distinguished individuals as well as glorious events in Polish history. The sculpture is one of 18 smaller busts that were placed in the Knights’ Hall.
The model for the bust may have been an engraving by Lucas Kilian which he executed before 1638.

Signed by the bronze founder IOH: Ehrenfried / DIETRICH / GOSS MICH IN / WARSCHAU / DEN 29. IANUAR / ANNO 1782 on back, under the bust.
Inscribed Mniszech on front, under the bust.
Inscribed GEO: MNISZECH / + MDCXIII. in gold letters on front of base.

Jerzy Mniszech of the Mniszech coat of arms (c. 1548–1613). Son of Mikołaj, Crown Chamberlain and Barbara née Kamieniecka. Voivode of Sandomierz from 1590. Protector and father in law of False Dmitriy I, the pretender to the throne of Muscovy. In 1604 he defeated the Russian army at Novogrod, thus opposing Dmitriy.