Artwork

Portrait of Kazimierz Zawisza (1750 – ?)

Portrait of Kazimierz Zawisza (1750 – ?), by Unknown, oil, 1754
Portrait of Kazimierz Zawisza (1750 – ?), by Unknown, oil, 1754

Portrait of Kazimierz Zawisza (1750 – ?) is an oil painting by Unknown. It dates from 1754 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków. The work is an oil painting portraying a young male child dressed in a blue garment with white buttons and cuffs.

About this work

He has blonde, curly hair and is holding a ball in his right hand, which rests on a small, ornate table covered with a red cloth.

This painting depicts a young boy in a blue dress with white buttons and cuffs, standing in front of a dark background. He has blonde, curly hair and is holding a ball in his right hand, which rests on a small, ornate table covered with a red cloth. The boy's dress features a white collar and a black brooch at the neck. His left hand is on his hip, and he wears red shoes. The background is dark, with a white and gold curtain draped behind him. The boy's portrait is a detailed and colorful depiction of a young child from the 18th century.

Overview

The work is an oil painting portraying a young male child dressed in a blue garment with white buttons and cuffs. He stands before a dark backdrop, his blonde curls framing a face that holds a ball in his right hand, which rests on a small, elaborately decorated table covered by a red cloth. A white and gold curtain hangs behind him, adding depth to the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter appears to be a boy named Kazimierz Zawisza, born in 1750, presented in an attire that suggests both innocence and status. The inclusion of a ball and the poised stance may allude to youthful playfulness or the education of aristocratic children, while the ornate table and luxurious curtain hint at the family's wealth and social position.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting demonstrates a careful handling of color and light, with the blue dress rendered in rich, saturated tones against the subdued background. Fine brushwork captures the texture of the fabric, the sheen of the gold curtain, and the delicate curls of the boy's hair. The contrast between the illuminated figure and the dark surroundings creates a three‑dimensional presence typical of mid‑18th‑century portraiture.

History & Provenance

The portrait is identified as depicting Kazimierz Zawisza, whose birth year is recorded as 1750, though later life details remain unknown. No specific information about the artist, original commission, or subsequent ownership is provided, leaving the work’s provenance largely undocumented beyond its identification of the sitter.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known