Walenty Wańkowicz ( February 14, 1799 in Kałużyce - May 12, 1842 in Paris) was a Polish painter of Belarusian origin. He studied at the Jesuit College in Polotsk, the University of Wilno and the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg. He was a representative of classicism and romanticism as well as a supporter of the embossed from the Wilno University art school.
Early life and studies
Wańkowicz was born on the family estate near Minsk, Russian Empire. His father was Melchior Wańkowicz, an agent working in Minsk judge. He was brought up in a Polish artic home, with Polish culture and Catholic faith, however, also with his Belarusian (Ruthenian) noble ancestry in mind. From 1811 the son attended, run by Jesuit Academy in Polotsk, where he was trained in civil and military architecture and drawing. His teacher was Jakub Pesling; Wańkowicz graduated here in 1817 with honors. In 1818 he enrolled at the University of Vilnius and studied here led by Jan Rustem and Jan Damel.