Pastel on paper, signed l. d. "T.Axentowicz".
Dimensions in frame: 100x79 cm (70x50 cm)
Teodor Axentowicz (Brasov 1859 - 1938 Krakow) Polish painter, draughtsman and graphic artist of Armenian origin, professor and rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. Between 1878 and 1882 he attended the Munich Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied with Gabriel Hackel, Alexander Waguer and Gyula Benczur. In 1882 he traveled to Venice and Paris, where he studied with E. A. Carolus - Duran. He was in Paris until 1895, engaged there in illustrating and copying the works of the old masters. From 1895-1934 he was a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, Julian Fałat appointed him to this position. He was also a co-founder of the Society of Polish Artists "Art". He traveled extensively was in London, Italy, the United States, among others. In 1897, he founded a school of painting for women. He received membership of the Societe Nationale dex Beaux-Arts for his portrait of Wiktor Oslawski (1890) He painted primarily in oil, but began using pastels in 1890. The influence of Art Nouveau and Symbolism can be seen in his work. He was a co-creator of the Panorama of Raclawice. Axentowicz gained recognition as a portraitist, painter of beautiful women (including Portrait of a Lady in a Black Dress (1906) and author of genre scenes showing the rituals and customs of the Hutsul people (valued works: Hutsul Funeral (1882), Feast of the Jordan (1893) and Kolomyjka (1895).
