Wojciech Kossak, WITH PILOT MELDUNK, 1920

82,7 x 73,5cm - oil, canvas signed p.d.: Wojciech Kossak | 1920

On the reverse on the lower frame bar a sticker (print, ink): SALON SZTUKI | ALFREDA WAWRZECKI | KRAKÓW, UL. WIŚLNA 9. - TELEFON No. 153-47. | Author Kossak Wojciech | [Ty]title "With urgent report" | [R]odzaj olej Size 83 1/2 x 73 | Cat. no. 686/41

Wojciech Kossak (Paris 1856 - Krakow 1942 ) - widely known painter, seen primarily as a great battle artist. The son and pupil of Juliusz Kossak, he was educated at the Cracow School of Fine Arts, the Munich Academy and in Paris. In 1895-1902 he stayed mainly in Berlin, working for Kaiser Wilhelm II. He traveled extensively, including to Spain and Egypt, where he made sketches for intended panoramas. In later years, he traveled to the United States several times doing portrait commissions. In 1913 he was appointed professor at the Warsaw School of Fine Arts. During the years of World War I, he served in the military. He was co-author of panoramas: "Raclawice" (1893-1894), "Berezina" (1895-1896), "Battle of the Pyramids" (1901) and sketches for the unrealized "Somosierra" (1900). With temperament and freedom, he created extensively painted dynamic battle scenes, historical scenes, genre scenes and numerous portraits. He was fond of painting horses. His paintings, glorifying the Polish military and the heroism of the soldiers, both ancient and contemporary to the artist, appealed to the patriotic feelings of the public and enjoyed great popularity.