François Xavier Fabre
In the foreground, at the center of the painting, sits Elżbieta Skotnicka, née Laskiewicz, depicted in full length. She is seated in a relaxed pose on the ground, in the shade of a tree, beside a small stream located in the lower-left corner of the composition. She turns slightly in our direction. She has dark eyes, a straight, long nose, and narrow lips. Her complexion is fair. Her hair is dark brown and arranged high, exposing her ears and neck.
Elżbieta is shown against an Italian landscape that opens toward the center. On the left, behind her back, stands a broad tree trunk surrounded by deep green foliage. On the right, in the distance, a green, shaded forest stretches. A river flows beyond it, curving to the right and disappearing into the distance among the trees. The opposite riverbank is rocky and steep, giving way to grass and forest behind it.
For members of the aristocracy, a journey through the most important European cultural centers—especially Italian cities—was considered an essential undertaking. This phenomenon was known as the Grand Tour. It was an educational journey aimed at becoming acquainted with Europe’s cultural heritage. This painting was created during the Italian travels of Elżbieta and Michał Skotnicki.
We present today's artwork thanks to the National Museum in Krakow, where the European Art Gallery was recently opened. It is full of the most interesting and best works of European painting and sculpture from the collections of the National Museum in Krakow, created between the 13th and 20th centuries. Take a look at some its gems that now are on view!