Portret van Jan Zygmunt Skrzynecki 1840 - 1855

This is a portrait of Jan Zygmunt Skrzynecki, made as a print by G.W. Lehmann. While undated, the Polish general's life provides some context. Skrzynecki led Polish forces in the November Uprising of 1830-31, a revolt against Russian rule. It is important to consider how the print creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Skrzynecki's stern gaze, military regalia, and the suggestion of clouds evoke power and authority. The institutional history of printed portraiture is vital here. Prints like this one were a crucial form of political communication in the 19th century, circulating images of leaders and heroes. Was this image intended to bolster Polish nationalism or simply document a military figure? Studying the print's distribution and reception would offer valuable insights. A historian would consider such evidence to understand the artwork as a product of a particular time and place.