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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

In 1862/63 Brandt moved to Munich to study painting in the private studio of the history painter Alexander Strähuber (1814-1882), a pupil of Schnorr von Carolsfeld. On 17th February 1863 he enrolled at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, and like most of the academy's students began his studies in the antiquity class[27], after which he studied under Carl von Piloty, who mainly painted history scenes.[28] But he also found pictures of battles and horses similar to those by Kossak, painted outside the academy by Franz Adam (1815-1886),[29] who arrived in 1860 from Italy to Munich and in whose private studio Brandt received further instruction. He also attended watercolour painting courses given by Theodor Horschelt (1829-1871), who was known for war scenes from Caucasia and Algeria.

Even at this early stage, Brandt was showing his own works in public. In 1863 he presented his painting “The March of the Lisowskis“ (Pochód Lisowczyków, fig. 6), at the Society of Friends of the Fine Arts in Krakow/Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Sztuk Pięknych w Krakowie. It received so much approval and recognition that the society's board of directors commissioned the Berlin engraver Hermann Droehmer (1820-1890) to reproduce it as an annual gift for the members. The scene shows the Lisowski Cossacks, originally recruited and trained by the Lithuanian nobleman Aleksander Lisowski (around 1580-1616) in operation during the Polish-Ottoman War of 1620-21, a subject which Brandt was to deal with in future paintings. The picture shows that he was already a virtuoso in this genre and had long since outstripped his teacher, Adam, with his concise colourfulness, skilful perspective, the vivid scene and the elegance of the horses.

He also produced genre motifs like “Jews taking their Horses to Market” (ca.1865, fig. 7) and “Polish Peasant's Horse and Carriage” (1865, fig. 8), where the composition and perspective, the characteristics of the horses and the gestures of the characters involved are similar to the previous Cossack painting.[30] Nor is this a battle painting, because the main pictorial elements, apart from its studies of animals, the picturesque costumes and carriages, are really genre motifs. Brandt's continued interest in 17th century themes, the era of the Polish wars, as well as the landscape and folk culture of the Polish border areas, can be attributed to the early influence of Kossak and their joint travels, from which Brandt certainly brought sketches to use in his paintings.

 

[27] Matrikeldatenbank, Matrikelbuch 2, Akademie der Bildenden Künste München, 01934 Josef Brandt, http://matrikel.adbk.de/matrikel/mb_1841-1884/jahr_1863/matrikel-01934 , Digital version: http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/~db/bsb00004661/images/index.html?id=00004661&fip=217.237.113.238&no=&seite=197 (called up on 16.11.2017)

[28] Carl Theodor von Piloty: Gründung der Liga durch Herzog Max I. von Bayern, 1852; Columbus, 1865; Thusnelda im Triumphzug des Germanicus, 1873, all in the Neue Pinakothek, München

[29] Franz Adam: Weißes Maultier, circa 1870/80; Vor dem Ausritt, 1871, both in the Neue Pinakothek, München; Scene from the Austrian-Italian War, 1872, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, München

[30] The dark tones and overall yellow impression in the painting in the Munich Lenbachhaus (fig. 8) can presumably be attributed to dirt and aging varnish.

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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