Who painted Portrait of Jakub Simmler, artist’s father?

Portrait of Jakub Simmler, artist’s father was painted by Józef Simmler in 1847.

Where can I see Portrait of Jakub Simmler, artist’s father?

Portrait of Jakub Simmler, artist’s father is held by National Museum in Warsaw.

What movement is Portrait of Jakub Simmler, artist’s father?

Portrait of Jakub Simmler, artist’s father is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Portrait of Jakub Simmler, artist’s father

Józef Simmler , 1847

Portrait of Jakub Simmler, artist’s father is an oil painting by the Realist artist Józef Simmler. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

He is dressed in a dark jacket with a white shirt and a black bow tie, and his right hand rests on his stomach.

This painting is a portrait of a man, likely in his 50s or 60s, with dark hair and a serious expression. He is dressed in a dark jacket with a white shirt and a black bow tie, and his right hand rests on his stomach.

The man's attire and hairstyle suggest that the painting was created in the 19th century. The artist's use of dark colors and the subject's somber expression create a sense of solemnity.

The painting's style and technique are reminiscent of other works from the same period. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up Józef Simmler.

Overview

Józef Simmler’s 1847 oil portrait presents his father, Jakub Simmler, rendered in a sober, realist manner. The canvas, now part of the National Museum in Warsaw’s holdings, exemplifies the painter’s dedication to portraying Polish individuals with a restrained, classical sensibility.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter appears as an older man, likely in his fifties or sixties, with dark hair and a solemn expression. Dressed in a dark coat, white shirt and black bow tie, his right hand rests on his abdomen, conveying a quiet dignity that reflects both personal respect and the broader 19th‑century emphasis on familial reverence.

Technique & Style

Simmler employs a restrained palette of deep tones, using subtle chiaroscuro to model the figure’s features and emphasize the texture of the clothing. The brushwork is smooth and controlled, aligning the work with the realist tendencies of the period while retaining a classical compositional balance.

History & Provenance

Created in 1847, the portrait entered the collection of Warsaw’s National Museum, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s mission to preserve works that document Polish artistic development and personal histories of notable families.