Khafifan

This portrait of the pure-blooded stallion Khafifan was commissioned in 1925 from Wojciech Kossak by Count Adam Zamoyski of Wysock – the Entailer’s distant cousin, but above all a companion on numerous hunts on their estates in Łańcut and Wysock. In January 1924, Antoni Alfred Potocki organised the now legendary safari in Sudan by the White Nile, to which he invited several of his cousins. The list of guests included Adam Zamoyski and his brother, Zygmunt. On his way back from this extremely successful safari, which brought him a lot of fame, the Entailer purchased in Cairo, in the royal stud, an eight-year-old grey pure-bred stallion Khafifan (by Mabrouk from Nigma). It was owned by Prince Regent Mahommed Ali. This African hunt is reminded by the impressive collection of trophies hanging in the Łańcut coach house and this small amazing portrait of Khafifan, which was a gift given by Adam Zamoyski to Alfred Potocki, the Entailer of Łańcut, as an acknowledgement for this African safari. The canvas bears a handwritten acknowledgement note from Count Zamoyski to the Entailer. Khafifan was bought by the Entailer for his stud in Albigowa near Łańcut. It was also used as a sire in the Gumniska estate near Tarnów, owned by the Tarnow Sanguszko family owned a replica of this Łańcut portrait. As recalled by the long-time head of the Arabian stud at Janów Podlaski, Mr Andrzej Krzyształowicz, at the time the son of the director of the Łańcut entail estate, Khafifan “was the pride of Alfred Potocki, presented to all the guests who visited Łańcut very often. I also went to Albigowa whenever I could. Every day I had more and more contact with the said Khafifan. It captivated me with its beauty, I can still remember its beautiful head, magnificent mane, and even more magnificent tail. And the silvery white coat, shining like alabaster.” Aldona Cholewianka-Kruszyńska