Artwork
Portrait of Paris Maurizio
Portrait of Paris Maurizio is an oil painting by Jan Matejko. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.
About this work
The use of oil paint and the attention to detail in the subject's clothing and facial features are notable aspects of the artwork.
The painting depicts a man with a receding hairline and a thin beard, dressed in a dark coat with a fur collar and a white shirt. He is shown from the waist up, with his hands resting on his lap.
The man's attire and the style of the painting suggest a formal portrait from the 19th century. The use of oil paint and the attention to detail in the subject's clothing and facial features are notable aspects of the artwork.
If you're interested in learning more about the artist behind this portrait, you might want to look up Jan Matejko.
Overview
Created in 1859, this oil on canvas portrait presents Paris Maurizio, a personal acquaintance of Jan Matejko. While Matejko is chiefly remembered for his expansive historical canvases, he also executed a series of intimate likenesses. The work now resides in the National Museum in Kraków, illustrating the artist’s habit of recording contemporaries alongside his larger narrative pieces.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears as a middle‑aged gentleman with a receding hairline, a slender beard, and a composed demeanor. Dressed in a dark coat trimmed with fur and a crisp white shirt, he sits upright, his hands resting calmly on his lap. The portrayal conveys a sense of respectability and quiet confidence, typical of 19th‑century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting demonstrates Matejko’s meticulous handling of texture and light. Fine brushwork renders the sheen of the fur collar and the subtle folds of the coat, while careful modeling captures the sitter’s facial features. The overall composition adheres to the formal conventions of the period, emphasizing realism and a restrained palette.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the portrait entered the collection of the National Museum in Kraków, where it remains on display. Its presence there reflects the museum’s broader mission to preserve Matejko’s oeuvre, encompassing both his monumental historical scenes and his lesser‑known portrait commissions.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Alojzy Matejko (Polish pronunciation: ; also known as Jan Mateyko; 24 June 1838 – 1 November 1893) was a Polish painter, a leading 19th-century exponent of history painting, known for depicting nodal events from Polish history.
