material: oil on canvas
dimensions: 74 x 58 cm
description: When Józef Pitschmann arrived in Poland in 1788, he tried to get a job as the court painter. However, his style of painting – too realistic, without idealizing, making the sitter look more attractive or including objects which could add splendour to the portrayed people – did not win recognition in Warsaw. In 1794, he left for Lvov, where aristocrats were not spoilt by the less-skilled local painters and quickly accepted Pitschmann’s fairly severe style. Shortly afterwards, the artist became the most popular and outstanding portraitist of the residents of Lvov and Galicia. The Tarnowski couple were Pitschmann’s typical customers. In the second half of the 18th century, Rafał Amor Tarnowski was Standard-Bearer of Halicz, General-Major of the Crown Forces and Marshal of the Bar Confederation. He thus held important state positions and took part in momentous political events in Poland. Having withdrawn from political life, he wanted his wife and himself to be portrayed by an artist experienced in painting at courts in the capital cities, able not only to portray his sitters with talent, but also capture their likeness and facial features. Barbara Ciciora
exposition: The Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art in Sukiennice,
The Cloth Hall, 1, Main Market Square
key: Enlightenment >>>
dimensions: 74 x 58 cm
description: When Józef Pitschmann arrived in Poland in 1788, he tried to get a job as the court painter. However, his style of painting – too realistic, without idealizing, making the sitter look more attractive or including objects which could add splendour to the portrayed people – did not win recognition in Warsaw. In 1794, he left for Lvov, where aristocrats were not spoilt by the less-skilled local painters and quickly accepted Pitschmann’s fairly severe style. Shortly afterwards, the artist became the most popular and outstanding portraitist of the residents of Lvov and Galicia. The Tarnowski couple were Pitschmann’s typical customers. In the second half of the 18th century, Rafał Amor Tarnowski was Standard-Bearer of Halicz, General-Major of the Crown Forces and Marshal of the Bar Confederation. He thus held important state positions and took part in momentous political events in Poland. Having withdrawn from political life, he wanted his wife and himself to be portrayed by an artist experienced in painting at courts in the capital cities, able not only to portray his sitters with talent, but also capture their likeness and facial features. Barbara Ciciora
exposition: The Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art in Sukiennice,
The Cloth Hall, 1, Main Market Square
key: Enlightenment >>>