Artwork
In the studio of Wojciech Gerson

In the studio of Wojciech Gerson is an oil painting by Antoni Murzynowski. It is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.
About this work
Overview
Antoni Murzynowski’s oil work titled *In the studio of Wojciech Gerson* is part of the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw. Executed in the late nineteenth century, the canvas records a quiet interior scene populated by four male figures. The composition is anchored by a seated man holding a stick, while the other three observe him attentively.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a moment inside the workshop of the noted Polish painter Wojciech Gerson. Four men—each dressed in dark outerwear—are gathered around a central figure who holds a stick, perhaps a drawing tool or a staff. Their focused gazes suggest a shared activity, likely a discussion of artistic technique or a demonstration within the studio environment.
Technique & Style
Rendered in oil on canvas, Murzynowski employs a restrained palette of deep browns and muted tones, allowing the figures to emerge from a shadowy background. The brushwork is smooth and precise, emphasizing the textures of clothing and the chiaroscuro that models the forms. The overall effect is a subdued realism characteristic of Polish genre painting of the period.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the canvas has remained in Poland, eventually entering the holdings of the National Museum in Warsaw. The museum acquired the work as part of its effort to preserve nineteenth‑century Polish art, and it now forms part of the institution’s representation of academic studio scenes.
Context
His choice to depict Gerson’s studio reflects the close ties among Polish artists of the era, who often gathered in shared workspaces to exchange ideas.
Murzynowski (1854‑1914) trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and later in Munich, where he absorbed academic traditions. His choice to depict Gerson’s studio reflects the close ties among Polish artists of the era, who often gathered in shared workspaces to exchange ideas. The painting thus documents both a physical setting and the collaborative spirit of Poland’s artistic community at the turn of the century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Antoni Murzynowski carried a paintbrush like a daily habit, the way others carry a wallet.











