Artwork

Portrait of Romuald Hube, senator

Portrait of Romuald Hube, senator, by Aleksander Stankiewicz, oil, 1852
Portrait of Romuald Hube, senator, by Aleksander Stankiewicz, oil, 1852

Portrait of Romuald Hube, senator is an oil painting by the Realist artist Aleksander Stankiewicz. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

Overview

Aleksander Stankiewicz’s oil painting, completed in 1852, depicts Romuald Hube, a senator, in full military dress. The work is part of the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw and measures a typical portrait size for the period, presenting the sitter in a formal, half‑length pose.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is shown wearing a scarlet coat edged in gold, adorned with several medals that indicate a senior rank and distinguished service. His expression is sober, his hair short and grey, and a pale cravat frames his neck, suggesting the dignified bearing expected of a public official of his era.

Technique & Style

Stankiewicz employs a strong contrast between the dark, undefined background and the illuminated uniform, a chiaroscuro effect that emphasizes the textures of the fabric and metal. Fine brushwork renders the facial features and hands with a high degree of realism, while broader strokes suggest the surrounding space.

History & Provenance

Since its creation, the portrait has remained in Poland, eventually entering the holdings of Warsaw’s National Museum. Documentation traces its acquisition to the museum’s 20th‑century expansion of the 19th‑century Polish portrait collection, where it serves as a representative example of mid‑century portraiture.

Artist & collection