Portrait of Aleksandra Potocka, née Lubomirska

Rectangular oil portrait, 2nd half of 19th century, painted by an unknown author originating from the German school. It depicts an elderly woman. The colours of the person are subdued and her silhouette is white with pink and grey tones against a dark background. The portrayed person is shown in half length. Her carefully modelled face is oval with high cheekbones, large expressive blue eyes, a long nose and narrow pink lips, smiling slightly. Her facial complexion is light, flesh-coloured, whereas her cheeks, nose and chin are pink. The shadows are marked by bluish colour. Her gaze is directed towards the viewer. Her hair is short, styled in tiny curls, pulled over the forehead. On her head, she has an embroidered white veil sewn-on pearls. A large bow is tied on the top of her head decorating the headwear. The woman is wearing a white dress, girded up under the bust with a belt. It has long sleeves, large, semi-circular neckline, covered by a white kerchief. A black and white shawl, with gold embroidered edges, supported by her right hand covers her left shoulder and back. The skin of her hands is light, slightly pink. The background of the portrait is dark, almost black. The painting has a wide, wooden, profiled, gilt frame. The inner belt of frame is decorated with stylised Lesbian cymatium. Further on, the frame is plain, with only a plant ornament in the corners: a stylised palmette in the centre, acanthus and vine leaves with flowers and fruit on the sides.

Joanna Kluz