Artwork
Portrait of Józef Michałowski, senator
Portrait of Józef Michałowski, senator is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Józef Brodowski the Elder. It dates from 1817 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw. This 1817 oil painting is a portrait of Józef Michałowski, a senator.
About this work
Overview
This 1817 oil painting is a portrait of Józef Michałowski, a senator. Created by Józef Brodowski the Elder, it exemplifies the Biedermeier style, known for its emphasis on domestic and intimate subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a man in his 50s with a serious expression, dressed in formal attire, including a dark green coat and a silver cravat. The plain dark background focuses attention on his face.
Technique & Style
The painting showcases smooth brushwork, particularly on the subject's face, while the dark background has a visible texture. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that employs strong contrasts between light and dark, helps to define the senator's features.
History & Provenance
Painted by Józef Brodowski the Elder, a Polish artist active from around 1775/81 to 1853, the portrait is now part of the National Museum in Warsaw's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Józef Brodowski, (c.1775/81 – 1853) was a Polish painter in the Classical style. He is called The Elder to distinguish him from Józef Brodowski (1828–1900), who was apparently not related.
