Artwork
Portrait of a man

Portrait of a man is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Kazimierz Mordasewicz. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.
About this work
Overview
Kazimierz Mordasewicz’s oil portrait, executed in 1900, presents a solitary male figure against an unadorned backdrop. The work is part of the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, where it remains on display as an example of early‑twentieth‑century portraiture in Poland.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is rendered with short, dark hair and a neatly trimmed mustache, dressed in a dark jacket accented by a red sash at the throat. The plain background isolates the figure, directing the viewer’s focus to his expression and attire, suggesting a formal, perhaps civic, representation rather than a narrative scene.
Technique & Style
Mordasewicz employs subtle chiaroscuro, allowing soft shadows beneath the chin and around the eyes to model the face in three dimensions. Warm and cool tonal contrasts on the skin create a lifelike presence, while the restrained palette of the clothing and background underscores the portrait’s sober, realistic approach.
History & Provenance
Created at the turn of the century, the painting entered the National Museum’s holdings in Warsaw during the mid‑20th century, where it has been catalogued as part of the museum’s Polish art collection. Its provenance prior to acquisition remains undocumented in public records.
Artist & collection













