woodcut, paper 18 x 15 cm light frame, signed on plate p.d. "Henryk Rodakowski"
Henryk Hipolit Rodakowski (born July 9, 1823 in Lvov, died December 28, 1894 in Krakow) - Polish Romantic painter, portraitist.He painted mainly portraits, occasionally historical paintings (e.g. War of the Kokosz), genre paintings (watercolor series Album Pałahickie) and animalistic paintings (e.g. Guardian Dog). In his work he combined elements of Romanticism and Classicism. He was inspired by ancient art and Italian Renaissance painting (Paolo Veronese). His portraits are characterized by insightful psychological characterization, precise drawing, harmonious arrangement of figures, masterful handling of color (especially black and white) and luminous textures that bring out the face and hands of the model[14]. His two masterpieces - General Henryk Dembinski (1852) and Portrait of Mother (1853) - were awarded at Paris exhibitions. For his Portrait of General Henryk Dembinski, the artist received a First Class medal at the Paris Salon in 1852. Portrait of Mother was awarded a Third Class medal at the Paris World Exhibition in 1855. Both canvases brought him European fame.
