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Madarász took all the subject matter for his historical works from the heroic past of Hungary. When "Zrínyi and Frangepán in Bécsújhely Prison" was exhibited in Hungary in 1866, people "went on pilgrimages" to see it. It shows Péter Zrínyi, the Ban of Croatia, and Ferenc Frangepán, both of whom had taken part in the Wesselényi Conspiracy against the Habsburg rule in an attempt to restore the constitutional rights of the Hungarians. The two patriots who rebelled against the Emperor say farewell to each other in Bécsújhely Prison before their execution. Théophile Gautier remarked that "their manly faces show the pain they feel about the uselessness of their sacrifice, rather than sorrow for their own lives. They would gladly die if they could but restore the rights to the country". The group of haughty imperial followers in the background emphasizes the intimacy of the two main figures. Among them is Prince Lobkowitz, a confidant to the Emperor, wearing black robes and a wig.
The compositional merits of the painting and the excellent characterization are accompanied by great technical ability - the local colours of this lavishly painted work are augmented by fine translucent shadows and reflections.
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