Boleslaw Starzyński was educated at the Institute of Nobility in Warsaw and then studied fine arts in Paris. He lived permanently in his hometown of Zahinets in Podolia, where he amassed a rich art and library collection. There he also set up a painting studio. In addition to easel painting, he was also involved in illuminating manuscripts, sculpture, photography and designing goldware. In 1872, he showed his works at an exhibition in Lviv. He conducted scientific research on the armament of Polish knighthood, coats of arms, genealogy and hunting. He created a catalog of ancient armaments and a coat of arms. He often traveled to Nice, where he had a second studio, and to Paris.