Hiacynt Alchimowicz, Landscape

Hiacint Alchimowicz (1841-1897)
Hut in the Pyrenees mountains
Early 20th century, pop., watercolour, 17 × 24.5
Sign. AD: H. Alchimowicz

Hiacynt Alchimowicz (1841-1897) was a 19th-century Lithuanian-born painter known for his watercolour landscapes, portraits and domestic scenes. He was born in Dambrava into the family of Dominykas Alchimowicz, a poor man. His brother, Kazimieras Alchimavičius, was also a famous painter.
In Vilnius, Hyacinth studied at a surveyors' school and is believed to have received the rudiments of art from Kanutas Ruseckas. In 1863 he took part in the uprising against the Russian Empire. After the defeat of the uprising, he emigrated to France and settled in Perpignan, southern France, where he worked as a technical draughtsman on railway construction projects.
In 1872, he began his studies in painting in Perpignan, and later continued his studies in Paris. In 1876 he became a drawing teacher at the Polytechnic School and Lycée for Girls in Perpignan. In 1892 he was awarded the French Ordre des Palmes Académiques for his services to education.
Alchimavicius produced watercolours and oil paintings of domestic scenes, landscapes and portraits. His work reflects both classical painting traditions and personal experiences of emigration and homesickness. Although he never returned to Lithuania, his work has been exhibited in both France and Poland.