Artwork

Roman Woman by the Well

Roman Woman by the Well, by Franciszek Żmurko, unspecified, 1891
Roman Woman by the Well, by Franciszek Żmurko, unspecified, 1891

Roman Woman by the Well is an unspecified painting by the Realist artist Franciszek Żmurko. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.

About this work

Overview

Roman Woman by the Well, painted in 1891 by Franciszek Żmurko, is a realist work depicting a scene of everyday life set in an ancient classical context. The painting is part of the collection at the National Museum in Kraków.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a woman in Roman attire standing by a well, accompanied by a man in a yellow robe in the background. The scene conveys a sense of daily life in an ancient setting, with the woman's actions and the well suggesting a routine task.

Technique & Style

Żmurko employed a realist approach, characterized by detailed, accurate representations of the subjects. The use of a predominantly white and blue palette with red accents, set against a blue sky and trees, creates depth and atmosphere. The composition guides the viewer's eye through the layered scene.

History & Provenance

Created in 1891 by Franciszek Żmurko, a Polish realist trained in Kraków and Munich, the painting is now held in the National Museum in Kraków, reflecting the artist's connection to Polish cultural institutions.

Context

Part of the broader European realist movement, the painting reflects Żmurko's training under influential figures like Jan Matejko and his work across Central Europe before settling in Warsaw.

Legacy

As part of Żmurko's oeuvre, 'Roman Woman by the Well' contributes to the artist's reputation for detailed realist depictions of life, though its specific impact on the broader art historical narrative is more nuanced and tied to Żmurko's overall body of work.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Franciszek Żmurko

Artist

Franciszek Żmurko

Franciszek Żmurko (18 July 1859, Lviv – 9 October 1910, Warsaw) was a Polish realist painter.