Portrait of Erazm Barącz 1908

Leon Wyczółkowski painted this portrait of Erazm Barącz in 1906, using oil paints. It's a study in contrasts: Barącz himself is rendered in a relatively straightforward, almost classical style. However, Wyczółkowski's brushwork becomes much freer when depicting the sitter's opulent cloak, with thick impasto creating a sumptuous, tactile surface. Look closely, and you can see the energy of the artist’s hand, laying down strokes of ochre, crimson, and gold, capturing the play of light on the fabric. It’s a virtuoso performance, evoking the textures and weight of costly materials. The intense labor of producing such fabrics, traditionally made by skilled artisans, stands in marked contrast to the quick, decisive gestures of the painter. By emphasizing the material qualities of the cloak through his expressive brushwork, Wyczółkowski bridges the gap between fine art and craft, reminding us that all art is rooted in making.