Jan Krzysztof Damel

Jan Krzysztof Damel, also known as Jonas Damelis and Johann Damehl in other languages was a Polish neoclassicist artist in the age of Partitions, associated with the School of Art at Vilnius University.

Life

Born in Mitau, Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, Damel studied art at Vilna University under Jan Rustem and Franciszek Smuglewicz, receiving a degree in 1809. He lived in Vilnius until, to accusations of involvement in forgeries by Ignacy Julian Cejzyk, he was convicted and from 1820 to at least 1823 he was in exile in Siberia in Tobolsk. Upon his release he lived in St. Petersburg and Minsk. He is considered one of the most prominent historical artists of the neoclassicist genre working in present-day Belarus.
His works include paintings of historic events, portraits, drawings, and religious compositions. Among his successful students was Michał Kulesza.