Sovereignty Enshrined in a Foldable Polyptich. The Great Seal of Queen Jadwiga of Poland

This article offers a new interpretation of the great seal of Queen Jadwiga of Poland. Through an analysis of its figurative components and a comparison with some important royal and princely seals from the second half of the 14th century, we can deduce that the artist responsible for the design of this seal intended to propose an imaginative yet realistic elevation of a sacred architecture seen from inside. This architecture is structured into five perspectival sections, with its lateral wings unfolding almost like in a foldable polyptych. Thus, the viewer’s perception is that of being in front of a precious box that reveals its treasures when opened.