JAN SZEMBEK, of his own coat of arms (d. 1731)


Marshal of the regular Seym in Warsaw 22 XII 1701-6 II 1702


Referendary of the Crown from 1699, Vice-Chancellor of the Crown in 1703-1711 and Grand Chancellor of the Crown from 1712.


A devoted supporter of August II, from 1703 he actually steered the monarch's policy. He favoured the idea of hereditary monarchy in Poland. In the 1718 Seym he put forward some projects of financial and economic reforms. He was the architect of family power (the Primate's brother), a devout Catholic, a founder and benefactor of numerous churches and monasteries

Portrait of Jan Szembek, after 1712

painted by Adam Manyoki
oil canvas, 79cm x 62cm
£.Kr. (no £.Kr.879)