Wojciech Korneli Stattler Paintings

Wojciech Korneli Stattler was a notable Polish painter, born on April 20, 1800, in Kraków, which at that time was part of the Austrian partition. He hailed from an artistic family; his father was a sculptor and his mother was from a family of artists. Stattler showed an early talent for the arts, which was nurtured through his education. He initially studied painting in Kraków under Józef Peszka, a historical painter, and then at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where he expanded his artistic skills and knowledge.

In 1822, Stattler continued his studies in Rome, thanks to a scholarship that allowed him to travel and work in Italy, a country that was a crucial center for artistic development and historical study. It was during his stay in Rome that he became influenced by the works of the old masters and contemporary Italian artists, which would have a lasting impact on his style and approach to painting. His time in Italy was formative, and he became part of the Polish artistic colony in Rome, which included many prominent figures of the Polish Romantic period.

Stattler returned to Kraków in 1828 and soon became a central figure in the city’s artistic community. He took up a teaching position at the School of Fine Arts in Kraków and became its director in 1850, a role he held until 1870. His influence as an educator was significant, and he taught and mentored a generation of Polish artists, instilling in them the principles of Romanticism and Classicism he had absorbed during his time abroad.

His own paintings often dealt with historical, biblical, and mythological themes, reflecting the Romantic era's fascination with grand narratives and exotic subjects. One of his most famous works is ‘Maccabees on Fire,’ which depicts the biblical story of the martyrdom of the Maccabees and is known for its dramatic intensity and masterful use of color. Stattler's contributions to Polish art were not limited to his own creations; his commitment to education and the development of the arts in Poland left a lasting legacy.

Wojciech Korneli Stattler passed away on November 26, 1875, in Kraków. He is remembered as one of the most important Polish painters of the 19th century, whose works and teachings helped shape the course of Polish art history. His paintings remain celebrated for their technical skill, emotional depth, and the way they reflect the cultural concerns of his time.