On the Vasas’ building investments in Vilnius

The artistic activity of the Vasa House has long interested researchers of modern art in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. However, while the artistic investments of Sigismund III and his sons in the most important political centres of the Crown (Kraków, Warsaw) are relatively well known, those undertaken in the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania have not been discussed more broadly, except for the foundation of St Casimir Chapel at the Vilnius cathedral. The main obstacle is undoubtedly the poorly preserved historical fabric, but also the scarcity of written sources. However, Vilnius – the second capital of the state, in a unique way associated with the Jagiellonian dynasty, had a special place in the activities of the Vasa House, as evidenced by St Casimir Chapel mentioned above. The prestige of connections with the Jagiellonians and the propaganda importance of these relationships could not remain indiff erent to both Sigismund III and his successors. The Vasas’ artistic foundations undertaken in Vilnius were therefore meant to expose this affi nity through, among other things, the expansion of the castle or support for the Dominicans. The Vasas were also eager to participate in the works undertaken by their closest associates, an eloquent example of which is St Teresa Church belonging to the Discalced Carmelites, funded by Stefan Pac.