Wojciech Kossak

Wojciech Kossak was the son of the famous Polish painter Juliusz Kossak and became one of the most important painters of panoramic war and battle scenes in the 19th and early 20th century. From 1871-83 he studied in Kraków (Cracow), München, and Paris and afterwards lived in Berlin from 1895-1902, followed by stints in Egypt, Wien (Vienna), and London. In 1913 he became a professor at the Art Academy in Warszawa. After serving in World War I Kossak lived for many years in the United States, but eventually returned to Poland. A member of numerous associations, he received many awards. The focus of his work after World War I was on different topics in Polish and general history, often with horse motifs. During the time of Nazi occupation his German name was Ritter Adalbert von Kossak. His son Jerzy also became a noted painter, while his daughters Maria and Magdalena were well-known writers.

The submitted painting Horse shows in Warsaw was originally called Wiosenne zawody konne (Horse Jumping Competition) and was an oil painting on canvas (88 x 88.5 cm). It was commissioned by the Society for International and National Horse Championships in Poland as a model for the color lithography of a poster for the equestrian event held in Warszawa on June 2nd-6th, 1928.