Portrait of a nobleman (Sarmacki portrait), oil on canvas, Poland, 18th century.
26000,00 zł
The portrait, originally rectangular and later cut down to an oval and relined, depicts an elderly man in noble (szlachecki) attire characteristic of the 18th century. The figure is shown half-length, facing frontally with a slight turn of the torso and one hand resting on the hip, which lends the composition a sense of dignity and static elegance.
The face, with mature features such as a high forehead, short, thinning grey hair, and subtle wrinkles — is rendered realistically, with attention to individual physiognomic traits. The gaze is calm and restrained, conveying charisma and composure, as well as an established social standing. This is further emphasized by the impressive noble (szlachecki) attire: a żupan embroidered with gold thread, a dark blue kontusz lined with red fabric, fastened with large gold buttons, and a wide, light-colored sash tied around the hips.
The painting is an excellent example of the so-called “Sarmacki portrait”, emphasizing social class affiliation, wealth, and official position. It stands out for its solid artistic craftsmanship, naturalistic treatment, and the mature age of the sitter.
1 in stock
Sarmacki portrait
In the 18th and 19th centuries, paintings were often “modernized” to fit new interiors or specific frames. The trimming of the corners suggests that the portrait may have been adapted to an oval overdoor (nadproże) or to a specific place in a family gallery where oval formats predominated. The original rectangular format would have given the figure more “breathing space.” The current, tighter oval makes the figure appear more monumental, but also somewhat compressed, as seen in the shoulders nearly touching the edges.
Despite this later alteration, the painting retains the character and iconographic features typical of the Sarmacki portrait, constituting a rarely encountered example of this type on the art market.
| Weight | 3,1 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 80 × 64,5 cm |
| Type |
Image |
| Form |
Portrait, originally quadrilateral and secondarily cut to oval and duplicated |
| Kolorystyka |
Blue ,Brown ,Gold ,Red |
| Technika |
Oil on canvas |
| Czas powstania |
18th century |
| Era |
Baroque |
| Kraj pochodzenia |
Poland |
| Autor |
Unknown |
| State of preservation |
Very good |
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