Artwork
Portrait of Włodzimierz Potocki
Portrait of Włodzimierz Potocki is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Józef Brodowski the Elder. It dates from 1812 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.
About this work
His expression is somber, which may indicate that he is a person of importance or someone who is being portrayed in a formal setting.
The painting is a portrait of a man with curly brown hair and a serious expression. He is wearing a dark jacket with gold buttons and a white cravat. The background is dark, which makes the subject stand out.
The man's attire and hairstyle suggest that he is from the early 19th century. His expression is somber, which may indicate that he is a person of importance or someone who is being portrayed in a formal setting.
This painting is an example of a formal portrait, which was a common genre in the early 19th century. You can learn more about the artist who created this work by looking up Józef Brodowski the Elder.
Overview
Created in 1812, this oil portrait depicts Włodzimierz Potocki, a Polish nobleman, rendered by Józef Brodowski the Elder. The composition places the sitter against a dark backdrop, emphasizing his figure and attire. The work resides in the National Museum in Kraków, forming part of its early‑19th‑century Polish collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents a middle‑aged man with curly brown hair, a solemn expression, and formal dress—a dark coat trimmed with gold buttons and a white cravat. The restrained demeanor and dignified pose suggest the sitter’s social standing and the conventions of aristocratic representation during the period.
Technique & Style
Executed in the Classical tradition, the painting employs a limited palette and careful modeling to achieve a smooth, lifelike surface. The chiaroscuro of the dark background against the illuminated figure reflects Biedermeier sensibilities, balancing realism with a modest, interiorized elegance typical of early‑19th‑century portraiture.
History & Provenance
Józef Brodowski the Elder (c. 1775/81–1853), distinguished from a later namesake, produced the work during his mature phase. After remaining in private hands, the portrait entered the National Museum in Kraków, where it has been displayed as part of the institution’s holdings of Polish art from the Napoleonic era.
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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.
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