Serafiński 

This is Jan Matejko’s painted portrait of Serafiński. It's an oil painting showing a man dressed in formal attire. The austere black clothing and stern expression suggest a man of importance and perhaps also hints at the social constraints of the time. Matejko was a Polish painter known for his historical scenes, but here we see him painting a contemporary figure. Poland in the 19th century was a nation struggling for independence, divided and under foreign rule. So how does the painting engage in that struggle? By portraying Serafiński with such seriousness and dignity, Matejko might be asserting the worth and potential of Polish individuals and the Polish nation. Art history allows us to investigate the cultural and political context in which the artist worked and how their art actively engaged with society's most pressing issues. The study of manifestos, newspaper articles, and even personal letters can shed light on the artist's intentions and the artwork's reception.