Portrait of Józef Czapski

A man with a direct gaze, Józef Czapski, is captured in this intimate oil on panel portrait from 1924. Waliszewski, a member of the Kapist movement, paints Czapski with a vibrant, almost electric energy, a quality often found in his portraits. The brushstrokes are visible and dynamic, particularly in the rendering of Czapski's face and the suggestion of his clothing, giving the painting a lively, immediate feel. This approach reflects the artist's engagement with avant-garde ideas during his time studying in Kraków and later in Paris, where he immersed himself in the works of old masters and modern artists alike. The portrait feels both spontaneous and thoughtfully composed, conveying a strong sense of the sitter's presence.