Who painted Portret Leonarda Serafińskiego?

Portret Leonarda Serafińskiego was painted by Jan Matejko in 1856.

Where can I see Portret Leonarda Serafińskiego?

Portret Leonarda Serafińskiego is held by National Museum in Kraków.

Artwork

Portret Leonarda Serafińskiego

Portret Leonarda Serafińskiego is an oil painting by Jan Matejko. It dates from 1856 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.

About this work

Overview

Jan Matejko painted the portrait of Leonardo Serafiński in 1856 using oil on canvas. The work belongs to the artist’s series of individual likenesses, which complement his more widely known historical canvases. It is presently part of the National Museum in Kraków’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is depicted as a middle‑aged man with a reddish beard and moustache, dressed in a dark green coat trimmed with fur. He holds a book in his left hand while seated, a detail that suggests literacy or scholarly interests, and his refined clothing points to a comfortable social standing.

Technique & Style

Matejko employs chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated areas with deep shadows to model the figure’s volume and give the portrait a three‑dimensional presence. The dark, unadorned background isolates the subject, directing the viewer’s focus to his face and the book.

History & Provenance

Since its creation, the portrait has remained in Poland, eventually entering the holdings of the National Museum in Kraków, where it is displayed among other works by Matejko and his contemporaries.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jan Matejko

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.

Museum

National Museum in Kraków

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