Artwork

Portrait of Stanisław August Poniatowski in the uniform of the head of the Corps of Cadets

Portrait of Stanisław August Poniatowski in the uniform of the head of the Corps of Cadets is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Marcello Bacciarelli. It dates from 1781 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw. This oil painting, created around 1781, is a portrait of Stanisław August Poniatowski.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting, created around 1781, is a portrait of Stanisław August Poniatowski. It is held in the National Museum in Warsaw.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is depicted in a formal pose, wearing the uniform of the Head of the Corps of Cadets, complete with a blue coat, white lace trim, and a red sash. Medals and a gold chain adorn his neck, signifying his status.

Technique & Style

The artist, Marcello Bacciarelli, employed Neoclassical style, characterized by a plain black background that accentuates the subject's face. Soft brushstrokes were used to achieve a lifelike representation of the skin and clothing, while chiaroscuro creates a dramatic effect through the interplay of light and shadow.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Marcello Bacciarelli

Marcello Bacciarelli (Italian pronunciation: ; 16 February 1731 – 5 January 1818) was an Italian-born painter of the late-baroque and Neoclassic periods active in Poland and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.