Walenty Wańkowicz
This portrait depicts Adam Mickiewicz - a Polish poet, dramatist, and political activist. He was a leading figure of Polish Romanticism and is widely regarded as Poland’s greatest poet. He is also considered one of the greatest Slavic and European poets.
He is best known for his national epic poem Pan Tadeusz. Most of his works inspired uprisings against the three imperial powers that had partitioned the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth out of existence.
The artist behind this painting, Walenty Wańkowicz, met Adam Mickiewicz while studying at the University of Vilnius. During that time, he created several drawn portraits of the young poet. This painting was created in St. Petersburg under the influence of Crimean Sonnets, a collection that resonated widely among poetry enthusiasts and solidified Mickiewicz’s reputation as a future national bard. The inspiration for the painting’s concept and composition came from the sonnet Ayu-Dag, which begins with the words: "I like to gaze, leaning on the rock of Ayu-Dag." Set against a backdrop of coastal cliffs and a clouded sky, the artist presents a solitary figure of the young poet, his gaze lifted in spiritual contemplation. On the left side, a lyre resting on vine leaves symbolizes poetic inspiration and, in a broader sense, universal rebirth. According to Mickiewicz’s contemporaries, one of the painting’s greatest strengths was its accurate depiction of his facial features. Many also noted the extraordinary aura of spirituality that radiates from the portrait.
This painting is one of the most significant depictions of a literary figure in Polish art history. Through its symbolism and evocative atmosphere, it has become the quintessential representation of a Romantic poet and the most widely reproduced image of Mickiewicz, appearing in numerous versions.
P.S. Romanticism emerged in Europe at the end of 18th century, as artists began to reject the Enlightenment ideas. They wanted to consider emotions and individuality as well as artistic liberty. Here's all you need to know about Romanticism!