Franciszek Streitt
Polish, 1839-1890
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Franz Streitt, or Franciszek Streitt was a Polish-born German painter.
His father was a tax collector. He graduated from the Realschule in Lwów, followed by studies at the Technical University. From 1856 to 1866, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków with Władysław Łuszczkiewicz and Jan Matejko. He completed his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna, with Eduard von Engerth, graduating in 1871. He initially settled in Kraków and painted historical scenes, inspired by his mentor, Matejko.
He was only there briefly, however, before moving to Munich, where he and Antoni Kozakiewicz opened a joint studio. Together, they formed a group of expatriate Polish artists that included Józef Brandt and Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalski. He also became a member of the Kunstverein München. Later, he took several study trips to Galicia and Hungary.
Over time, he switched from historical painting to genre scenes, from the lives of farmers and Gypsies. His works may be seen in collections in Germany, Austria, England and the United States. Some of his works appeared as illustrations in Die Gartenlaube of Leipzig.
In 1881, he married the painter, Maria Theresia Friedl (1855-1908).