Artwork

Portrait of Dr Feliks Sommer

Portrait of Dr Feliks Sommer, by Bronisław Wiśniewski, oil, 1898
Portrait of Dr Feliks Sommer, by Bronisław Wiśniewski, oil, 1898

Portrait of Dr Feliks Sommer is an oil painting by Bronisław Wiśniewski. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.

About this work

The painting depicts a man in a black coat with a white collar and cuffs, set against a dark red background.

The painting depicts a man in a black coat with a white collar and cuffs, set against a dark red background. His dark hair is slicked back, and he has a mustache. The man's right arm is bent at the elbow, with his hand resting on his hip.

The man's attire and the style of the painting suggest a formal portrait from the late 19th century. The dark background and the use of chiaroscuro create a sense of depth and dimensionality.

If you're interested in learning more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up the technique.

Overview

This oil painting, created in 1898 by Bronisław Wiśniewski, is a portrait of Dr Feliks Sommer. It is part of the collection at the National Museum in Kraków.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is depicted wearing formal attire, with a black coat, white collar and cuffs, and a mustache. His dark hair is styled back, and his right hand rests on his hip, conveying a sense of confidence.

Technique & Style

The artist's use of chiaroscuro and a dark red background creates a sense of depth. The contrast between light and dark areas adds dimensionality to the portrait, characteristic of late 19th-century formal portraiture.

Artist & collection

Artist

Bronisław Wiśniewski

This Polish painter spent years sketching in Warsaw’s cafés, where doctors, poets, and shopkeepers posed for quick, honest portraits.