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Artwork Description

Lukasz Smuglewicz is a member of the well known Smuglewicz family of artists. The picture of the Medieval pilgrim and healer St Roch (ca 1293–1327) is a good example of a religious picture in which the saint is shown not only with all his usual attributes (an angel guarding him on his pilgrimages, his faithful dog, a pilgrim’s staff, a flask, and clothes decorated with a cockle-shell, symbolising pilgrimage), but also with attributes that emphasise his patronage according to ecclesiastical tradition, protection from the plague. As is customary, the saint’s leg is bare up to the thigh, where the first indications of plague occur. Sick and dying people are depicted on the left of the composition, while an angel is holding a plaque with the Latin inscription PATRONUS a PESTE (patron of those suffering from the plague). Plagues raged in Poland and Lithuania several times, but took the largest number of lives in the early 18th century, and made the cult of St Roch popular.

Artist Biography

early life and education

pranciškus smuglevičius, a polish-lithuanian draughtsman and painter, was born on october 6, 1745, in warsaw, poland. he was the son of łukasz smuglewicz, also a painter, and regina olesińska. smuglewicz's early life was marked by his first steps as a painter in his father's workshop in warsaw.

artistic career

in 1763, smuglewicz journeyed to rome, where he began studying fine arts under the tutorship of anton von maron. he stayed in rome for 21 years, embracing the neo-classical style. in 1765, he received a royal scholarship from king stanisław august poniatowski and was admitted into the saint lucas academy.

notable works and legacy

smuglewicz's notable works include:

a meeting of the four years' sejm (1793), showcasing his historical painting style.
kościuszko's oath at kraków's old town market (1797), highlighting his ability to capture everyday life and architecture.
lithuanian peasants, freeing peasants from serfdom in merkinė, demonstrating his commitment to social issues.

these works can be found in the collection of polonika the national institute of polish cultural heritage abroad (warszawa, poland), which is also featured on OriginalUniqueArt.com.

teaching and influence

smuglewicz was a tutor of generations of polish-lithuanian painters, including jan rustem, jan krzysztof damel, gaspar borowski, and józef oleszkiewicz. he brought classical ideas and views of enlightened classicism to lithuania, influencing the development of lithuanian art.

later life and death

smuglewicz moved to vilnius in 1797, where he became the founder and first deacon of the institute of sketch and painting at the academy of vilnius. he painted allegorical ceiling paintings for tsar paul i at his new imperial palace, the mikhailovsky castle, in st petersburg. smuglewicz died on september 18, 1807, in vilnius, lithuania. view more works by pranciškus smuglevičius on OriginalUniqueArt.com explore the artist's profile and artworks on OriginalUniqueArt.com read more about franciszek smuglewicz on wikipedia

pranciškus smuglevičius

1745 - 1807 , Poland

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Neo-Classical
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['Lithuanian Art']
Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Anton von Maron']
Date Of Birth: October 6, 1745
Date Of Death: September 18, 1807
Full Name: Pranciškus Smuglevičius
Nationality: Polish-Lithuanian
Notable Artworks:
- A Meeting of the Four Years' Sejm
- Kościuszko's Oath
- Lithuanian Peasants
Place Of Birth: Warsaw, Poland