Riders

Juliusz Kossak was the doyen of the family of artists. In 1844-1850, he observed the customs of the aristocracy and everyday life in the noble manors of Lesser Poland, Podolia, Volhynia and Ukraine. It was there that his interest in the study of horses was born. He watched them during hunting trips, rides and races. Kossak spent some time at his country estate in Bolestraszyce, where he became acquainted with the artist's workshop. In the collection of the National Museum in Szczecin, there is a painting entitled Jeźdźcy [Riders] from 1896. The composition depicts four riders riding in pairs, facing right. The first two horses (buckskins) are occupied by riders in blue uniforms with red collars and stripes on the trousers, wearing black high shakos, i.e. high military caps used from the end of the 18th century until the beginning of the 20th century in front-line units. Two riders on light coloured horses follow them. The first is dressed in a light purple kaftan and a fur burka. The second has a light green jacket and a red cap with extensive fur trim. In the background, there are carts, horses and figures of people. In the far third plan, the outlines of a city are visible. The realistic depiction of horses and soldiers' uniforms show excellent handling of colour. The painting was painted three years before his death, when the artist had a clearly defined credo for his work, at the centre of which was the concern to cultivate national identity at the time of Poland's independence.

Beata Małgorzata Wolska