Witold PRUSZKOWSKI (1846-1896), Portrait study of a young man in the coat of a Navy ensign

charcoal drawing, paper, 84.5 x 59.5 cm,
unsigned, 1880s,
painting after conservation - visible repaired paper tear in upper and middle part of painting.



Witold PRUSZKOWSKI (1846-1896)
Painter and draughtsman, considered one of the most interesting symbolists of Polish painting. He spent his childhood in Kyiv and Odesa. In 1866 he settled in Paris, where he began studying drawing with Adam Mickiewicz's son-in-law Tadeusz Gorecki. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and at the School of Fine Arts in Cracow under Jan Matejko. In 1882, he settled in Mników near Cracow. He was strongly associated with the Krakow artistic community. He was close friends with Malczewski. He created both symbolic and realistic and academic works. In his work, he was often inspired by romantic literature, legends and folk themes, combining realism with fantasy. His works are characterized by moodiness and mystery. He also painted portraits, distinguished by good psychological characterization of the figures. His works have been repeatedly exhibited both at home and abroad, including in Krakow, Warsaw, Vienna, Paris and Budapest.