Portrait of Andrzej Korwin-Piotrowski

The history of painting shows that art history is created by drawing on the achievements of predecessors or by mutual exchange of ideas with contemporary artists. This was also the case of Juliusz Kossak. His respect for the works of Jan Matejko, January Suchodolski, Franciszek Kostrzewski and Wojciech Gerson is well-known. He himself enjoyed the recognition of Józef Brandt, Maksymilian Gierymski and Piotr Michałowski. The latter gave this advice to the budding artist: “Young man, if you want to paint horses, for which I see you have an inborn talent, first learn about the anatomy of a horse, otherwise your future talent will be dislocated”.

The work of Juliusz Kossak abounds in horse portraits, hunting scenes, battle scenes and illustrative activities. He liked the technique of watercolours to such an extent that he dared to create a large-scale scene of Stefan Potocki's Death at Żółte Wody. He treats watercolour on a par with oil painting. Subordinate to drawing, it faithfully and accurately reflects the modelling of the characters and the depth of space while maintaining the aerial perspective.

Kossak significantly contributed to the popularization of art in the Polish society. His works were found in palaces as well as in burgher houses. The images were perceived as accessible and understandable, full of life contained in the presented themes: landscape, animals and people.

„Today, when we see Kossak's complete activity, we can see the whole enormity of what he accomplished, the multitude of manifestations of life, which were recreated by his indefatigable hand, his never-ending, fresh, clear and vivid imagination [...]. Whatever has lived on the territory of Poland, lives and will live in his works,” wrote S. I. Witkiewicz.

Klara Sadkowska