Fisherman

Leon Jan Wyczółkowski, a distinguished Polish painter, graphic artist, and draughtsman, emerged as a leading figure of the Young Poland movement within the realm of realist painting. Born on April 24, 1852, in Huta Miastkowska near Garwolin, he was the son of Mateusz, a glass merchant from the minor nobility, and Antonina née Falińska. His early education took place in Kamionka near Lubartów, followed by attendance at gymnasiums in Siedlce and Warsaw. Wyczółkowski's artistic journey began at the Warsaw Drawing Class under the tutelage of Antoni Kamieński and Rafał Hadziewicz, and later with Wojciech Gerson, a realist painter whose shift towards historical and religious themes left a lasting impression on the young artist. This period saw the creation of notable works such as 'Obraz Trembowli' and 'Święty Kazimierz', marking his early successes. In 1875, Wyczółkowski ventured to Munich to study under Hungarian painter Alexander Wagner at the Academy of Fine Arts, where he produced works like 'Studium starej kobiety w czepku'. His return to Poland led him to the Kraków Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied under Jan Matejko, briefly embracing his mentor's methodologies. This phase yielded paintings such as 'Ucieczka Maryny Mniszchówny' and a series of portraits. A visit to the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1878 exposed him to the works of Claude Monet, among others, broadening his artistic horizons. The following years saw him in Lviv, where his encounter with Adam Chmielowski inspired the creation of 'Dziewczyna', among other works. Wyczółkowski's legacy is a testament to his versatility and profound impact on Polish art, bridging realism with the evolving trends of his time until his death in Warsaw on December 27, 1936.