Portrait of Tadeusz Kościuszko

Grassi employed traditional oil techniques to achieve a finely detailed surface. The portrait features a dark‑haired figure in a black jacket adorned with silver buttons, a red‑and‑white scarf, and a gold medal on a blue ribbon. A mottled brown background provides a subdued setting that emphasizes the sitter’s features without distraction.

After its completion in the mid‑19th century, the painting entered the holdings of the National Museum in Kraków, where it remains on display. The museum’s acquisition reflects the work’s relevance to Polish national heritage and its association with a key figure in the country’s military history.

Grassi, born in 1757, was known for both portraiture and historical scenes, often working for aristocratic and governmental patrons. This portrait aligns with the 19th‑century trend of commemorating national heroes through formal, lifelike representation, reinforcing collective memory of Kościuszko’s contributions.