Portrait of Count Stanislas Potocki
Encyclopedia
The Portrait of Count Stanislas Potocki is a 1780 equestrian portrait of the Polish patron, politician and writer Stanisław Kostka Potocki by the French painter Jacques-Louis David
. It was painted in Rome when the artist and subject met during David's stay at the Villa Medici
after winning the first prize for painting in the Prix de Rome
, and chronologically after his Saint Roch interceding with the Virgin for the Plague-Stricken
and before Belisarius begging for alms
. Its equestrian format is owed to influences from Rubens
.
It was first owned by Potocki (who displayed it in the palace at Wilanów
) before passing to the Branicki family in 1892. During the Second World War it was looted by the German forces, then passed into Soviet Russian hands after the war, before being repatriated
to Poland in 1956. It is now on show in the Wilanów Palace
Museum in Warsaw.
Jacques-Louis David
Jacques-Louis David was an influential French painter in the Neoclassical style, considered to be the preeminent painter of the era...
. It was painted in Rome when the artist and subject met during David's stay at the Villa Medici
Villa Medici
The Villa Medici is a mannerist villa and an architectural complex with a garden contiguous with the larger Borghese gardens, on the Pincian Hill next to Trinità dei Monti in Rome, Italy. The Villa Medici, founded by Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and now property of the French...
after winning the first prize for painting in the Prix de Rome
Prix de Rome
The Prix de Rome was a scholarship for arts students, principally of painting, sculpture, and architecture. It was created, initially for painters and sculptors, in 1663 in France during the reign of Louis XIV. It was an annual bursary for promising artists having proved their talents by...
, and chronologically after his Saint Roch interceding with the Virgin for the Plague-Stricken
Saint Roch Interceding with the Virgin for the Plague-Stricken
Saint Roch Interceding with the Virgin for the Plague-Stricken is an early religious painting by the French artist Jacques-Louis David. He painted it in 1780 during his stay at the Villa Medici in Rome after winning first prize for painting in the Prix de Rome and exhibited it at the 1781 Paris...
and before Belisarius begging for alms
Belisarius Begging for Alms
Belisarius Begging for Alms is a large-format history painting in oil on canvas by Jacques-Louis David. It depicts the Byzantine general Belisarius, who heroically defeated the Vandals in North Africa in AD 533–534 on behalf of Justinian I, and was later blinded by the emperor...
. Its equestrian format is owed to influences from Rubens
Rubens
Rubens is often used to refer to Peter Paul Rubens , the Flemish artist.Rubens may also refer to:- People :Family name* Paul Rubens Rubens is often used to refer to Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), the Flemish artist.Rubens may also refer to:- People :Family name* Paul Rubens (composer) Rubens is...
.
It was first owned by Potocki (who displayed it in the palace at Wilanów
Wilanów
Wilanów is a district of the city of Warsaw, Poland. It is home to historic Wilanów Palace, the "Polish Versailles," and second home to various Polish kings.-History:...
) before passing to the Branicki family in 1892. During the Second World War it was looted by the German forces, then passed into Soviet Russian hands after the war, before being repatriated
Art repatriation
Art repatriation is the return of art or cultural objects, usually referring to ancient or looted art, to their country of origin or former owners . The disputed cultural property items are physical artifacts of a group or society that were taken from another group usually in an act of looting,...
to Poland in 1956. It is now on show in the Wilanów Palace
Wilanów Palace
Wilanów Palace is a royal palace located in the Wilanów district, Warsaw. Wilanów Palace survived the time of Poland's partitions and both World Wars and has preserved its authentic historical qualities, also is one of the most important monuments of Polish culture.The palace and park in Wilanów...
Museum in Warsaw.