Portrait of Antonina Bałutowska née Massalska

Executed in oil paint, the portrait showcases Tepa's realist approach through detailed, textured brushwork. A dark, gradient background contrasts with the subject's defined form, while subtle lighting enhances the overall sense of realism. The artist's use of color and shadow contributes to a sense of depth and dimensionality.

Created during Tepa's active period as a painter, following his political imprisonment in Vienna for advocating Polish independence during the Revolutions of 1848, the portrait is now part of the National Museum in Warsaw's collection.

The painting reflects the broader European realist movement of the mid-19th century, emphasizing everyday life and individual representation. Tepa's own political background and engagement with realism position the work within a cultural landscape valuing authenticity and detail.

As part of the National Museum in Warsaw, the portrait contributes to the institution's holdings of 19th-century Polish art, offering insight into Tepa's oeuvre and the realist tradition in Poland. Its legacy lies in its representation of both the subject and the artistic values of its time.