Dimensions: 104.1 x 86.4 cm
Signed p.d. 'B. Szańkowski'
Origins
private collection, Warsaw
Biography
Studied painting at the School of Fine Arts in Cracow, as well as abroad: at the Munich Academy under Johann Caspar Herterich (1894) and at the Académie Colarrosi and Académie Julian in Paris (1896-98). He settled permanently in Munich, from where he made numerous trips to France, Belgium, England and Scotland. He painted many representative portraits of the aristocracy and members of European ruling families. He portrayed, among others, Ignacy Paderewski, the Radziwill family, the Potocki family, the imperial family in Berlin and the royal family in Romania. He was also eager to paint idealized portraits of beautiful, refined ladies with erotic overtones, as well as intimate, graceful portraits of children; among others, he repeatedly portrayed his daughters Ada and Helena. He participated in many exhibitions in Germany and Austria; he also often sent paintings to national exhibitions. In 1928, his solo exhibition was held at Warsaw's Zachęta Gallery.