Signed and dated p. d.: Jan Chelminski 1883
Provenance:
private collection, Poland
Condition:
craquelure, minor losses in the paint layer
The captured scene of a ride, by a prominent representative of the "Munich" circle, is one of the recognizable motifs in his work. The works of Chelminski, who has lived permanently in New York since 1915, remain scattered in foreign collections, so that their appearance on the auction market, arouses keen interest among collectors. Being a pupil of Juliusz Kossak and Jozef Brandt, among others, the artist took a liking to battle themes. He was close to the themes of Napoleonic wars or from the Duchy of Warsaw.
In this painting, the foreground is built up by depictions of two refined ladies and a nobleman with characteristic tricorns on his head. This three-winged type of hat was popular in the 18th century, being a part of both uniform and civilian outfits. The artist took care to carefully paint the figures and color variety. What stands out here is the image of a pearl-gray horse, illuminating, along with a part of the sky, the thicket of dark forest, dominating the canvas.
The composition was created a year after the artist's stay in London and moments before he left for New York. He also visited Paris or St. Petersburg in the 1880s. Although the painter's numerous travels enriched the thematic range of his works, he remained devoted to Polish motifs and actively participated in national art exhibitions.
*all rights reserved - Polski Dom Aukcyjny Wojciech Śladowski (www.polskidomaukcyjny.com.pl)
