Artwork
Portrait of the Sculptor Stefan Jarzymowski
Portrait of the Sculptor Stefan Jarzymowski is an oil painting by the Realist artist Witold Pruszkowski. It dates from 1881 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.
About this work
Overview
Witold Pruszkowski’s two‑sided oil work, created circa 1881, combines a portrait on one face with a historic tableau on the reverse. Executed in a realist manner, the piece demonstrates the artist’s capacity to work beyond his usual Symbolist leanings. The painting belongs to the National Museum in Kraków’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The front side presents a dark‑haired, mustachioed man in a dark jacket, turned slightly to the left. The figure’s facial features are rendered loosely, with blurred details that convey a sense of immediacy. The reverse side illustrates the legendary moment of a crown being offered to the first Polish ruler, Piast, linking personal portraiture with national myth.
Technique & Style
Pruszkowski employs visible, textured brushwork on the portrait, especially in the rendering of the face, while the background is a subdued brown that recedes without distraction. The realist approach contrasts with his broader Symbolist output, emphasizing accurate depiction over allegorical abstraction.
History & Provenance
Born in 1846, Pruszkowski worked as a painter and graphic artist across Central Europe during the late nineteenth century, navigating several stylistic currents. After its creation, the double‑sided canvas entered the holdings of the National Museum in Kraków, where it remains on display.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Witold Pruszkowski Polish pronunciation: (14 January 1846, Bershad - 10 October 1896, Budapest) was a Polish painter and graphic artist in the Symbolist style.
