Józef Simmler
Classical Polish historical painter
Józef Simmler was a Polish painter known for his classical style and his Polish subjects. Simmler came from a wealthy German Protestant family. It was this affluent upbringing that allowed him to pursue his interest in cities like Dresden, Munich and Paris. Perhaps his most famous work is "Death of Barbara Radziwillowna" ("Śmierć Barbary Radziwiłłówny"), an oil on canvas work completed in 1860. The painting gained immense popularity when the Warsaw-based Society for the Promotion of the Fine Arts, a newly formed institution with the goal of encourage and promote domestic art and artists, put it on exhibit in 1861. It now hangs in the National Museum, Warsaw. His other famous paintings are “Children of King Edward” (1847) and “Portrait of a Nobleman with a Parrot” (1859). Józef Simmler's major contribution to Polish art is the humaneness that his paintings evoked. He was a specially gifted portraitist. Using styles of costume paintings prevalent in France, he produced works that allowed the public a view of the past. His paintings, however, were more than just reproductions of history. The masterful works also gave a deep sense of compassion, dread, and tenderness. His daughter's brother-in-law was Eduard Strasburger, the famous Polish-German botanist. One of Simmler's grandsons was Henryk Leon Strasburger, a Polish delegate to the League of Nations.
Artworks by this artist
- Creation of the world 1856
- Portrait of Capuchin Beniamin Szymański circa 1856
- Portrait of Mrs. Kruszewska née Komorowska
- Szkic kompozycji ‘Ratowanie rozbitków’ 1860-1867
- Wacław’s farewell to Maria 1848
- Studium portretowe mężczyzny 1860-1867
- St. Casimir – drawing according to the engraving by Franciszek Wacław Balcewicz of 1749 1856
- Martyrdom of Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych 1861
- Portrait of Maurycy Brauman 1866
- Portrait of Julia Simmler, artist’s daughter
- Studium do postaci księcia Jana Finlandzkiego do obrazu ‘Katarzyna Jagiellonka w więzieniu w Gripsholmie’ 1858
- Fragment of the Cover of Quinn’s Bed. Study to the Painting ‘The Death of Barbara Radziwiłł’ before 1860
- Sketch of the Psyche character to the ceiling ‘Wedding procession of Cupid and Psyche’ 1863
- Study of the king figure for the painting ‘Death of Barbara Radziwiłł’ 1860
- Sketches of figures in folk costumes of Kuyavia 1840-1850
- Nude studies of the Canon of Cracow, Piotr Wysz, and Jagiełło, and studies of hands of Jaśko of Tęczyn for the painting ‘Queen Jadwiga’s Oath’ 1867
- Sketch of the composition ‘Mermaids luring a young man’ 1848
- Sketches of Roman and Gothic architectural details and medieval armour 1861-1867
- Female head, sculpture study 1839
- Sketch of the figure of Queen Jadwiga and Jaśko of Tęczyn for the painting ‘Queen Jadwiga’s Oath’ 1867