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Józef Brandt

Bolesław Szańkowski (1871/73-1953): Portrait of Józef Brandt, 1910. Oil on canvas, 162 x 112 cm, National Museum in Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 961
©
Muzeum cyfrowe / http://cyfrowe.mnw.art.pl

After studying painting in Munich from 1860 onwards, Józef Brandt (1841-1915), who called himself Josef von Brandt on account of his Polish aristocratic title, celebrated brilliant successes with large battle paintings recaling the 17th century Polish wars against the Tatars, the Turks and the Swedes. Smaller paintings on the same theme as well as genre pictures from Polish folk life proved highly popular amongst collectors in Germany, England and the USA. With the opening of his Munich studio in 1875, when he publicly exhibited a collection of Polish antiquities used as models for his paintings, he became the leading figure in the Polish artists' colony in Munich. His close connection to the Bavarian royal family and his great successes at international exhibitions earned him titles, decorations and medals in the 1880s/90s. In Poland he is still remembered for his school of painting on his estate at Oronsko, which he had acquired by marriage, and for his national-polish motifs.

Mediathek Sorted

Media library

  • Art review. The Battle of Vienna 1683.
    Art review. The Battle of Vienna 1683. Oil painting by Joseph Brandt in Munich, in: Deutsche Kunst-Zeitung Die Dioskuren, Year 18, No. 10, Berlin 1873, page 78
  • Fig. 1: Józef Brandt, ca. 1875 - Unknown: Portrait of Józef Brandt, ca. 1875: Photograph on albumin paper, 9.9 x 6.2 cm, National Library Warsaw/Biblioteka Narodowa w Warszawie, Inv. No. F646
  • Fig. 2: Józef Brandt in his studio, 1875/76 - Władysław Szerner (1836-1915): Jósef Brandt in his studio, 1875/76. Wood engraving by Jan Styfi (1841-1921), in: Kłosy, 1876, volume XXII, No. 574, page 405
  • Fig. 3: The studio of Józef Brandt, 1875/76 - Władysław Szerner (1836-1915): The studio of Józef Brandt in Munich, 1875/76. Wood engraving by Paweł Boczkowski (1860-1905), in: Tygodnik Illustrowany, 1876, volume II, No. 52, page 416 f. (excerpt)
  • Fig. 4: The studio of Josef v. Brandt, 1889 - Carl Teufel (1845-1912): The studio of J. v. Brandt, in: Carl Teufel: Ateliers Münchner Künstler, volume 1, Munich 1889, uncounted plate 9
  • Fig. 5: The studio of Josef v. Brandt, 1889 - Carl Teufel (1845-1912): The studio of Josef von Brandt, 1889. Photograph, Glass negative, 18 x 24 cm, Bildarchiv Foto Marburg, Aufnahme-No.: 121.569, Konvolut: Dr. Benno Filser Verlag
  • Fig. 6: The March of the Lisowskis, 1863 - The March of the Lisowskis, 1863. Oil on canvas, 44.5 x 69 cm, in auction trading (Agra Art, 2000)
  • Fig. 7: Jews leading Horses, 1865 - Jews leading Horses to the Market, ca.1865. Oil on wood, 21 x 43.3 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 5548
  • Fig. 8: Polish Peasants' Horse and Cart, 1865 - Polish Peasants' Horse and Cart, 1865. Oil on canvas, 31 x 44 cm. The art possessions of the city of Munich
  • Fig. 9: The Battle of Chocim, 1867 - The Battle of Chocim (1621), 1867. Oil on canvas, 190 x 337 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 5056
  • Fig. 10: Grazing Horses, 1869 - Grazing Horses, 1869. Oil on canvas, 23,2 x 42,6 cm, Museum Biberach, Braith-Mali-Museum, Biberach an der Riß, Inv. No. 11265
  • Fig. 11: Return from Vienna, 1869 - Return from Vienna – Baggage Train, 1869. Oil on canvas, 43,5 x 79,5 cm, Kunstmuseum Łódź/Muzeum Sztuki w Łodzi, Inv. No. MS/SP/M/206
  • Fig. 12: A Break, circa 1870 - A Break in a Small Town, circa 1870. Oil on canvas, 71,5 x 107 cm, Private ownership (from the auction trade)
  • Fig. 13: At the Tavern, undated - At the Tavern. A Polish Village with Ulans, undated. Oil on wood, 13.5 x 18.4 cm, Museum Biberach, Braith-Mali-Museum, Biberach an der Riß, Inv. No. 1989/11264
  • Fig. 14: Czarniecki near Kolding, 1870 - Czarniecki in the Battle of Kolding (1658), 1870. Oil on canvas, 95 x 206 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 410
  • Fig. 15: Waiting for the Boat, 1871 - Waiting for the Boat, 1871. Oil on canvas, 67,5 x 127 cm, privately owned (from auction trading)
  • Fig. 16: Cossacks at the Camp Fire, 1873 - Cossacks at the Camp Fire, 1873. Oil on canvas, 43 x 82 cm, privately owned
  • Fig. 17: The Battle of Vienna, 1873 - The Battle of Vienna, 1873. Oil on canvas, 136 x 318 cm, Museum of the Polish Army, Warsaw/Muzeum Wojska Polskiego w Warszawie, Inv. No. MWP 655
  • Fig. 18: Booty at the River, 1874 - Booty at the River, 1874. Oil on canvas, 69 x 160 cm, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Galerie Neue Meister, Inv. No. G 2401
  • Fig. 19: On the Steppe, 1874 - Welcome to the Steppe, 1874. Oil on canvas, 87.5 x 170 cm, privately owned
  • Fig. 20: A Break in the Steppe, undated - A Break in the Steppe, undated. Oil on canvas, 30.5 x 38 cm, Polenmuseum Rapperswil, Inv. No. 119
  • Fig. 21: Cossacks, 1874 - Cossacks, 1874. Oil on canvas, 33.4 x 46.6 cm, Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus und Kunstbau Munich
  • Fig. 22: Horse Breeding, 1876 - Horse Breeding in the Steppe, 1876. Oil on canvas, 61.5 x 112.5 cm, Polenmuseum Rapperswil, Inv. No. Dep. 89
  • Fig. 23: Polish Horseman, 1877 - Polish Horseman with his Horse in front of the Toll House, 1877. Water colour and opaque colouring on paper, 24.5 x 32.5 cm, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Kupferstichkabinett, Inv. No. SZ Jv.Brandt 2
  • Fig. 24: Cossack Guard, 1878 - Cossack Guard, 1878. Oil on canvas, 25.2 x 33 cm, Museum Biberach, Braith-Mali-Museum, Biberach an der Riß, Inv. No. 1989/11266
  • Fig. 25: The Liberation of Prisoners, 1878 - The Liberation of Prisoners [from the hands of Tatars], 1878. Oil on canvas, 179 x 445 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie
  • Fig. 26: Alarm, circa 1880 - 1880 Alarm, circa 1880. Oil on canvas, 97.5 x 150 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 971
  • Fig. 27: Militia at the Ford, circa 1880 - Militia at the Ford, circa 1880. Oil on canvas, 74 x 119.5 cm, privately owned (from auction trading)
  • Fig. 28: Catching a Horse, circa 1880 - Catching a Horse, circa 1880. Oil on canvas, 83.5 x 73.5 cm. Nationale Kunstgalerie, Lviv
  • Fig. 29: Zaporozhian Camp, circa 1880 - Zaporozhian Camp or The Camp of the Tatars, circa 1880. Oil on canvas, 72,5 x 113 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 670
  • Fig. 30: Zaporozhian Cossack, undated - Zaporozhian Cossack, undated. Oil on canvas, mounted on cardboard, 74.9 x 123.1 cm, for auction (Sotheby’s)
  • Fig. 31: March with War Booty, circa 1880 - March with War Booty. Return from Vienna, circa 1880, Oil on canvas, 72 x 112 cm, privately owned
  • Fig. 32: Cavalry Parade, circa 1880 - Polish Cavalry Parade (Hussars), circa 1880. Oil on canvas, 86.5 x 62.8 cm, Polenmuseum Rapperswil, Inv. No. MPR 116
  • Fig. 33: Sketch of Cossacks, circa 1880 - Sketch of Cossacks, circa 1880. Oil on canvas, 61,5 x 48,5 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 1925
  • Fig. 34: A Cossack waiting for the Boat, 1881 - A Cossack waiting for the Boat, 1881 or earlier. Oil on canvas, 26 x 37,5 cm, privately owned (from auction trading)
  • Fig. 35: Setting out for the Hunt, 1883 - Setting out for the Hunt, 1883. Oil on canvas, 69 x 194,5 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Leipzig, Inv. No. G 537
  • Fig. 36: Market in Białka, circa 1885 - Market in Białka, circa 1885. Oil on canvas, 62 x 101 cm, Private collection
  • Fig. 37: Confrontation on the Bridge, ca. 1886 - Confrontation on the Bridge, ca. 1886. Oil on canvas, 100 x 200 cm, National Museum Krakow, Inv. No. MNK II-a-147
  • Fig. 38: Polish Farming Cart, undated - Polish Farming Cart on a Country Road, undated. Water colour and opaque colouring on paper, 20.3 x 41.6 cm, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Kupferstichkabinett, Inv. No. SZ G. Brandt 3
  • Fig. 39: Preparing for the Hunt, 1886 - Preparing for the Hunt, 1886. Oil on canvas, 88 x 165 cm, privately owned
  • Fig. 40: Painter's Palette, 1887 - Palette of Polish Artists in Munich, 1887. By Józef Brandt bottom right: Cossack resting with his Horse, in: Die Kunst für alle. Malerei, Plastik, Graphik, Architektur, vol. 3, Munich 1887/88, after page 60
  • Fig. 41: Ensign, 1889 - Royal Ensign, 1889. Oil on canvas, 83 x 63 cm, privately owned (from auction trading)
  • Fig. 42: In Flight, ca. 1890 - In Flight, ca. 1890. Oil on canvas, 61 x 100.5 cm, for auction (Agra Art, 2012)
  • Fig. 43: Confrontation on the Dyke, ca. 1890 - Confrontation on the Dyke, ca. 1890. Oil on canvas, 70 x 110 cm, for auction (Agra Art, 2012)
  • Fig. 44: Our Dear Lady, ca. 1890 - Our Dear Lady of Poczajów (Praying in the Steppe; the Armenian Mother of God), ca. 1890. Oil on canvas, 151 x 303 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 970
  • Fig. 45: Sketch for Our Dear Lady, 1890 - Sketch for Our Dear Lady of Poczajów, circa 1890. Oil on canvas, 65 x 120 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 411
  • Fig. 46: Cossack Wedding, 1893 - Cossack Wedding, 1893. Oil on canvas, 243 x 156.5 cm, Upper Silesian Museum, Bytom/Muzeum Górnośląskie w Bytomiu, Inv. No. MGB/Sz 916
  • Fig. 47: Victorious Cossacks, 1893 - Victorious Cossacks (Victorious Return), 1893. Oil on canvas, 155.5 x 98.4 cm, for auction (Sotheby’s, 2008)
  • Fig. 48: The Capture, undated - The Capture of a Caucasian Leader, undated. Oil on canvas, 70 x 110.5 cm, for auction (Sotheby’s)
  • Fig. 49: After the Victory, 1893 - After the Victory, 1893. Oil on canvas, 60.5 x 121.5 cm, for auction (Agra Art, 2016)
  • Fig. 50: The Departure from Wilanów, 1897 - The Departure of Johann III. and Marysieńka Sobieska from Wilanów, 1897. Oil on canvas, 186 x 343 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 4374
  • Fig. 51: Queen Marysieńka, ca. 1897 - Queen Marysieńka leaving Wilanów, circa 1897. Oil on canvas, 200 x 400 cm, National Museum Kielce/Muzeum Narodowe w Kielcach, Inv. No. MNKi/M/374
  • Fig. 52: Preparatory study for Queen Marysieńka, 1897 - Preparatory study for the departure of Queen Marysieńka from Wilanów, circa 1897. Oil on wood, 34 x 65.6 cm, Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus und Kunstbau Munich, Inv. No. G10546
  • Fig. 53: Attack, ca. 1898 - Cavalry Attack. Polish Hussars on the Attack, circa 1898. Oil on canvas, 54.7 x 99.5 cm, for auction (Agra Art, 2017)
  • Fig. 54: In the Yard, ca. 1900 - In the Yard, ca. 1900. Oil on canvas, 80 x 120,5 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 4880
  • Fig. 55: Horse and Cart trying to escape, ca. 1900 - Horse and Cart trying to escape, ca. 1900. Oil on canvas, 60,5 x 100,5 cm, for auction (Agra Art, 2008)
  • Fig. 56: The Hunt, ca. 1900 - The Hunt, ca. 1900, Oil on canvas, 101 x 62 cm, Polenmuseum Rapperswil, Inv. No. MPR 117
  • Fig. 57: Cossack Horseman, ca. 1900 - Cossack Horseman, circa 1900. Water colour with opaque colours on paper, 27 x 39.3 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. Rys.Pol.11661
  • Fig. 58: Cossack guard, undated - Cossack Guard, undated. Oil on canvas, 26 x 37,5 cm, on auction (Sotheby’s, 2012)
  • Fig. 59: Testing a Horse, ca. 1900 - Testing a Horse, ca. 1900. Oil on canvas, 57,5 x 38 cm, privately owned (from auction trading)
  • Fig. 60: Tatar riding through a River, undated - Tatar riding through a River, undated. Quill, washed, 23.4 x 29 cm, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Kupferstichkabinett, Inv. No. SZ Jv.Brandt 1
  • Fig. 61: Czarniecki on Horseback, ca. 1900 - Stefan Czarniecki on Horseback, circa 1900. Oil on canvas, 55 x 45 cm, for auction (Agra Art, 2013)
  • Fig. 62: Forage Gatherer, ca. 1905 - Forage Gatherer, ca. 1905. Oil on canvas, 92 x 66 cm, on auction (Agra Art, 2014)
  • Fig. 63: Trumpeter, ca. 1905 - Trumpeter, circa 1905. Oil on canvas, 45.5 x 60.5 cm, on auction (Agra Art; Lichfield County Auctions, 2014)
  • Fig. 64: Józef Brandt, ca. 1905 - Jadwiga Golcz (1866-1936): Portrait of the painter Józef Brandt, circa 1905. Photograph from a glass negative, 14.3 x 10.4 cm, National Museum Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. DI 91193/1

Józef Brandt
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Bolesław Szańkowski (1871/73-1953): Portrait of Józef Brandt, 1910.
Bolesław Szańkowski (1871/73-1953): Portrait of Józef Brandt, 1910. Oil on canvas, 162 x 112 cm, National Museum in Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 961
©
Muzeum cyfrowe / http://cyfrowe.mnw.art.pl

As a result of his artistic success, his social status and not least the opening of his splendid studio in Schwanthalerstraße, Brandt became the main focus of attraction in the Munich “Poland colony”.[51] By this I mean those Polish artists who emigrated to Munich from 1828 onwards (but above all since the January Uprising in 1863), to study at the Academy of Fine Arts and under private teachers in the city. Between 1863 and 1875, more than eighty Poles were admitted to the Munich Academy. Brandt proved to be not only sociable, but also hospitable and helpful to younger students arriving from Poland. Since he also had a talent for teaching, he soon established an unofficial painting school in his studio. For a time his students included Tadeusz Ajdukiewicz, Jan Chełmiński, Józef Chełmoński, Michał Gorstkin-Wywiórski, Alfred Wierusz-Kowalski and Franz Roubaud, a native of Odessa, who moved to Munich in 1877 from the drawing school there and later travelled to Caucasia and Uzbekistan. Brandt took special care of Szerner, who had also taken part in the January uprising and arrived in Munich completely impoverished in 1865. Indeed he even went so far as to put him up in his studio.

When young Polish painting students visited the Neue Pinakothek (i. e. the collection of contemporary paintings), they discovered with a touch of patriotism that paintings by three Polish artists, Brandt, Maksymilian Gierymski and Wierusz-Kowalski, were also displayed there. Marian Trzebiński, who matriculated in the Munich Academy in 1893, wrote the following in a letter: “As Poles, we were very pleased to see two paintings by Brandt, which also had Polish language signatures '‚z Warszawy‘ und ‚Monachium‘, not Munich, in a prominent place:. […] Such tolerance gave us an idea of the sensitivity and highly developed culture of the Bavarian people”.[52] The Neue Pinakothek probably purchased one of Brandt's pictures in 1885, the year he painted it. This was a one by two metre, large format painting entitled “Cossack horses in a Snowstorm. A second, smaller picture,"Defence", is undated and like the first, it bears the signature "Józef Brandt z Warszawy, Monachium" (English: from Warsaw, Munich).[53]

 

[51] Die Polenkolonie: Brandt, Gierymski, Chelminski, Kowalski, Kozakiewicz, in: Rosenberg 1887 (see further reading), page 47

[52] Ptaszyńska 2008 (see note 32), page XII

[53] Catalogue of the painting collection in the Royal New Pinakothek in Munich, München 1902, page 25 f.: “COSSACK HORSES IN A SNOW STORM”. A shepherd sits under a hooped cart, protected from the storm by a piece of canvas. He is observing the horses jostling in the distance. Three horses are attached to the cart, on one of which is a spitz. In the foreground in the snow is a pot being heated on the remains of a fire. Oil on canvas. Bottom right: Józef Brandt z Warszawy Monachium 1885. Height. 1.12 m Width. 2.05 m. DEFENCE. A farmstead is being defended by the cavalry. In the middle a peasant is holding the restless, now riderless, horses. Two people are firing on the enemy from the roof of a barn. Oil on canvas. Bottom right: Józef Brandt Monachium. z Warszawy. Height. 0.98 m Width. 1.65 m.“– A painting entitled “Defence of a Farmstead by Cavalrymen”, Oil on canvas, 98 x 165 cm, can be found in the Bavarian State Collection of Paintings in Munich (Hans F. Schweers, Gemälde in deutschen Museen, I, 1, München u.a. 1994, page 203). It was not possible to get information there.

Bolesław Szańkowski (1871/73-1953): Portrait of Józef Brandt, 1910. Oil on canvas, 162 x 112 cm, National Museum in Warsaw/Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Inv. No. MP 961
©
Muzeum cyfrowe / http://cyfrowe.mnw.art.pl
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