Diotima. Portrait of Jadwiga Luszczewska

Jadwiga Luszczewska (1834–1908), known by her pen name Diotima, was an improviser, poet and writer of the Romantic era and the hostess of the most famous literary salon in Warsaw, which operated for about twenty-five years. She wrote poems, historical dramas, and reminiscences. The pseudonym Diotima ("honoured by God") was chosen for Jadwiga by her mother, Magdalena, as the name "Diotima" was trendy in the 18th and 19th centuries and often used in philosophical, artistic, and musical works. Diotima of Mantinea was a semi-legendary figure, an ancient Greek philosopher, priestess, and prophetess, and one of the central figures in Plato's dialogue "Symposium". In the painting by J. Simmler, Jadwiga Luszczewska is depicted in the guise of the legendary Greek figure Diotima, passionately improvising beside the walls of an ancient temple. She wears a long white chiton and a bright red cloak, fastened at the neck with a gold brooch. To her left, two girls carefully record her words. In the right corner, a lyre is visible, symbolising poetry.

In the bottom centre is the artist's signature and date: "J. Simpler / 1855".

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery