Marcello Bacciarelli

b. 1731 — d. 1818

Marcello Bacciarelli was a Polish-Italian painter of the late-baroque and Neoclassic periods. Although born and bred in Italy, Bacciarelli spent most of his life in Poland, working for King Stanisław August Poniatowski. The Polish monarch was very ambitious and demanding. He had an extensive knowledge of art, enjoyed discussions and meddled in the artist’s work, giving him advice and correcting his sketches. Bacciarelli had a difficult job, yet he was able to meet the king’s expectations. He quickly won the trust and true friendship of Stanisław August Poniatowski. Having become the royal court painter in 1764, Bacciarelli was entrusted with all important artistic tasks, including the foundation of the first Polish painting school, called Malarnia. The artist also decorated the interiors of the royal palaces and was responsible for creating a gallery of paintings. Following the king’s order, Bacciarelli went on a trip to his native Italy to keep up with the latest trends in art and get in touch with other artists; however, he came back to Warsaw, where he and his family settled permanently. After the king had left the capital, the artist continued to take care of his collections, informing the monarch in detail about the progress of his works in many letters. Bacciarelli usually painted portraits and history works illustrating the history of Poland. He produced many series of paintings decorating, for example, the Royal Castle in Warsaw. Their aim was to show the glory of the country as well as exemplary Polish citizens.