Artwork

Portret Leona Sapiehy

Portret Leona Sapiehy, by Józef Oleszkiewicz, oil, 1827
Portret Leona Sapiehy, by Józef Oleszkiewicz, oil, 1827

Portret Leona Sapiehy is an oil painting by Józef Oleszkiewicz. It dates from 1827 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.

About this work

Overview

The Portret Leona Sapiehy is a 19th-century oil painting by Polish artist Józef Oleszkiewicz, created in 1827. It is a portrait of a young man, identified as Leon Sapieha, and is now part of the National Museum in Kraków's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a seated young man with curly brown hair, dressed in formal attire, including a black coat with gold buttons and a yellow vest. He engages the viewer with his gaze, while his right hand remains out of sight, resting possibly on or below the brown cloth beside him.

Technique & Style

Executed in a realistic style, the portrait showcases Oleszkiewicz's attention to detail, particularly in the subject's facial features and clothing. The use of oil paint allows for a nuanced representation of textures and colors, contributing to the overall lifelike quality of the work.

History & Provenance

Józef Oleszkiewicz, known for his portraits and unconventional behavior, was active in both Vilnius and Saint Petersburg during the reign of Tsar Alexander I, a period that saw a flourishing of portraiture in the Russian Empire. The painting has been preserved and is now held in the National Museum in Kraków.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Józef Oleszkiewicz

Artist

Józef Oleszkiewicz

Józef Oleszkiewicz (Lithuanian: Juozapas Oleškevičius, Russian: Юзеф Иванович Олешкевич; c.1777 – 5 October 1830) was a Polish painter, active in Vilnius and then in Saint Petersburg during Tsar Alexander I's reign,…