Professor Agnieszka Bender is an extraordinary expert in the history of Italian art and culture, and former director of the Polish Institute in Rome. Thanks to her, we were able to get to know Duchess Zofia Katarzyna Odescalchi, née Branicki, as a patron of the arts and creator of a salon that became an unofficial embassy for Polish emigrants. The Professor led a project to develop issues related to the patronage activities of Duchess Sophie and her eldest son Balthazar Odescalchi, who continued and developed his mother's work. The figure of the Duchess, known in literature, has so far been mainly in the orbit of historians, as a very influential personality of Polish emigration in Rome in the mid-19th century.
She has only been mentioned in scholarly publications on the history of art; no research has yet been carried out into her patronage activities. The private collections that remained in the residences of the family's descendants have not been recognised and studied. The duchess supported numerous Polish artists, including Leopold Nowotny and Roman Postemski. Her huge dowry allowed her to buy back and thoroughly renovate the castle in Bracciano and to purchase the estate and palace in Bassano Romano. She also carried out renovation work on the Chigi-Odescalchi palace in Rome and the Ilok castle, now in Croatia.

Renowned for her great beauty and excellent education, the duchess led a lively social life; evenings organised by her brought together the international aristocratic, intellectual and diplomatic elite. The duchess was a religious person, and quickly gained the trust and friendship of Pope Pius IX, who supported Poles deprived of their homeland in those difficult times. A fervent patriot, Branicka taught her children Polish and introduced them to the heritage of their country. Thanks to her deep religiousness and patriotic activities, duchess Zofia was called the "Polish Pope" among her countrymen. The renovations of the mansion, initiated by her mother, were continued by her son Balthazar. He too took over his mother's interest in history and art, as well as her love of collecting. He is almost unknown in the Polish literature on the subject.