Wojciech Kossak (1856 Paris - 1942 Krakow), In front of the inn - the best men, 1917

oil, cardboard, 50 × 40 cm
Signed and dated l. d.: Wojciech Kossak/1917
On the reverse, confirmation of authenticity: "My signature is authentic/Wojciech Kossak"; state of preservation: minor creases of cardboard.

The painting depicts two Krakow wedding best men and a girl. Both young men are depicted on horseback, dressed in traditional folk costumes, holding tankards in their hands. They are facing a smiling girl in Kraków costume. A thatched cottage can be seen in the background.
Wojciech Kossak is known primarily as a creator of historical-patriotic and battle paintings. He painted horses with expertise, and was also a noted portraitist. Also frequent in his work are genre scenes, among which Krakow weddings and their participants were among his favorites and repeated at various times.
The painting presented at the auction, "In front of the inn - the best men," was created in 1917
and is one of several versions. An earlier one, from 1910, is in the collection of the Museum of
Historical Museum of the City of Krakow. Another is reproduced in Kazimierz Olszanski's album "Wojciech Kossak", Ossolineum 1990, il. 274.