Who painted Portrait of Ksawery Krasicki (1774–1844)?

Portrait of Ksawery Krasicki (1774–1844) was painted by Józef Pitschmann in 1800.

Where can I see Portrait of Ksawery Krasicki (1774–1844)?

Portrait of Ksawery Krasicki (1774–1844) is held by National Museum in Warsaw.

What movement is Portrait of Ksawery Krasicki (1774–1844)?

Portrait of Ksawery Krasicki (1774–1844) is associated with Biedermeier.

Artwork

Portrait of Ksawery Krasicki (1774–1844)

Józef Pitschmann , 1800

Portrait of Ksawery Krasicki (1774–1844) is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Józef Pitschmann. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

Overview

Józef Pitschmann, an Austrian‑born artist active in Poland, painted a portrait of the military officer Ksawery Krasinski in 1800. Executed in oil, the work exemplifies the Biedermeier aesthetic that favored restrained realism and intimate representation. It is part of the National Museum in Warsaw’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, Ksawery Krasinski (1774–1844), is shown in full dress uniform, his posture dignified yet relaxed. A calm, slightly smiling expression conveys a sense of personal confidence, while the plain dark backdrop directs attention to his face and the symbols of his rank, such as the sword and polished insignia.

Technique & Style

Pitschmann employed a smooth oil application to render the texture of the dark military coat, the red cuffs, and the silver buttons with precise detail. The contrast between the deep background and the illuminated white cravat highlights the subject’s features, a hallmark of Biedermeier portraiture’s focus on clarity and modest elegance.

History & Provenance

Since its creation, the portrait has remained in Poland, eventually entering the holdings of the National Museum in Warsaw. The museum acquired the piece as part of its effort to preserve works by artists who contributed to Polish visual culture during the early nineteenth century.

Context

The painting reflects the post‑Napoleonic era in which Polish officers often adopted Western European military fashions. Pitschmann’s work aligns with the broader Biedermeier trend across Central Europe, where middle‑class patrons commissioned portraits that emphasized personal virtue and social status without overt grandeur.