Kościuszko pod Racławicami, 1888

This historical oil painting depicts a chaotic and dramatic battlefield scene, likely from an 18th-century European conflict. The focal point is a central figure on a dark, powerful horse, wearing a light-colored military uniform and hat, gesturing upward as he leads a group of soldiers forward. Behind him and to his right, a large military flag waves prominently, acting as a beacon for the chaotic mass of infantry and cavalry surrounding him.

The composition is dense and dynamic, conveying a sense of urgent movement through the diagonal alignment of rifles, swords, and poles held aloft by the men. Soldiers are shown in a variety of poses—some charging ahead, others crouched or looking toward the leader, and one figure in the lower center appears to be kneeling or stooping while holding a long spear. The background is composed of a dark, dense forest, which contrasts with the lighter, animated figures in the foreground.

The colour palette is dominated by earthy tones, deep shadows, and muted greens, with stark highlights on the uniforms and the white eagle emblem on the flag. The lighting suggests an overcast, somber day, adding to the intense, serious mood of the scene. The brushwork is expressive and classic, characteristic of late 19th-century historical romanticism, capturing the grit, disorder, and fervor of a military engagement with sharp attention to period-appropriate clothing and weaponry.