Artwork
Portrait of a boy in a hat
Portrait of a boy in a hat is an oil painting by the Realist artist Maurycy Gottlieb. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.
About this work
Overview
'Portrait of a boy in a hat' is a 19th-century oil painting created by Maurycy Gottlieb in 1874. It is a representative work of the artist's early style, executed during his training under Jan Matejko.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a young boy with dark hair, dressed in formal attire including a dark hat. His serious expression and distant gaze convey a sense of contemplation. The dark background emphasizes the subject, drawing the viewer's attention to the boy's face and attire.
Technique & Style
Gottlieb's use of oil paint and attention to detail reflect the Realist movement's emphasis on direct and unidealized representation. The dark colors and shading create a sense of depth, while the overall composition is characterized by a straightforward and unromanticized portrayal of the subject.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the National Museum in Warsaw's collection. Gottlieb, a Polish-Jewish painter, was a promising student of Jan Matejko before his untimely death at the age of 23.
Artist & collection
Artist
Maurycy Gottlieb (; 21 February 1856 – 17 July 1879) was a Polish-Jewish realist painter of the Romantic period. Considered one of the most talented students of Jan Matejko, Gottlieb died at the age of 23.
