Who painted Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man was painted by Władysław Majeranowski in 1856.

Where can I see Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man is held by National Museum in Warsaw.

What movement is Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Portrait of a man

Władysław Majeranowski , 1856

Portrait of a man is an oil painting by the Realist artist Władysław Majeranowski. It dates from 1856 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

Overview

Władysław Majeranowski’s oil portrait, dated 1856, presents a solitary male figure rendered against a nearly black backdrop. The sitter wears a dark, high‑collared coat and gazes directly at the viewer, his expression solemn. The work is part of the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, where it is displayed as an example of mid‑nineteenth‑century portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The painting focuses on a single man, whose identity is not recorded in the museum catalogue. His serious demeanor, short dark hair and light beard suggest a mature individual, perhaps of professional standing, captured in a straightforward, unembellished manner that emphasizes personal presence over narrative context.

Technique & Style

Majeranowski employs impasto in selective areas, notably on the cheekbones and forehead, where thick layers of paint create a tactile surface that catches light. This textural treatment contrasts with smoother brushwork in the dark coat and background, highlighting the facial features against the almost void-like surroundings.

History & Provenance

Created in 1856, the portrait entered the National Museum in Warsaw’s holdings at an unspecified date, becoming part of the institution’s permanent collection of Polish 19th‑century art. No record of prior ownership or exhibition history is provided in the museum’s documentation.

Context

The work belongs to a period when Polish artists often produced intimate, realist portraits for private patrons, reflecting a broader European trend toward individualized representation. Majeranowski’s approach aligns with contemporary practices that favored direct, unidealized depictions, using chiaroscuro and texture to convey character.