Józef Pitschmann

Józef Franciszek Jan Pitschmann, or Franz Joseph Pitschmann (1758, Triest - 1 September 1834, Krzemieniec) was an Austrian-born Polish portrait painter.

Józef Pitschmann; portrait by Jan Feliks Piwarski.

Biography

He began his artistic studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna, under the direction of Heinrich Carl Brandt (1724-1787), a noted portrait painter.[1] The year Brandt died, he was awarded a gold medal for his depiction of Hercules returning Admetus to Alcestis, and was made a member of the Academy.[2]

In 1788, he moved to Poland at the invitation of Józef Klemens Czartoryski, living in his home in Korzec while working as a portrait painter and art teacher.[1] From 1789 to 1794, he lived in Warsaw where he painted for the nobility and the bourgeoisie; notably several portraits of King Stanisław II August, for which he was awarded a diamond ring.[2] In 1794, he moved to Lwów, where he lived until 1806. While there, he is known to have produced over 300 portraits, including one of Emperor Francis I and his wife.

In 1806, Tadeusz Czacki offered him a position at the new Krzemieniec Lyceum, where he became a drawing teacher. He also gave private lessons.[1] During this time, he created an additional 150 portraits, mostly of the professors at the school and the local nobility, and received several awards from the Emperor.[2] His best-known student was Jan Ksawery Kaniewski. After his retirement, he remained in Krzemieniec and died there.

Selected portraits

References
  1. Biographical notes @ Sztuka Zaprasza.
  2. Brief biography @ Internetowy Polski Słownik Biograficzny.
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