Count Atanazy Raczyński (german: Athanasius Raczynski; 2 May 1788 – 21 August 1874) was a Polish

count Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...

(''

hrabia The hierarchy of noble titles in Poland was relatively uncommon throughout most of its history. Polish nobility ''szlachta'' enjoyed the principle of political equality of all its members. For this reason the idea of introducing the noble / aristoc ...

'') and diplomat in

Prussia Prussia, , Old Prussian: ''Prūsa'' or ''Prūsija'' was a German state on the southeast coast of the Baltic Sea. It formed the German Empire under Prussian rule when it united the German states in 1871. It was ''de facto'' dissolved by an em ...

n service. He was a noted art critic and built a notable collection of paintings during his long stays in major European metropolises. He wrote ''Histoire de l'Art Moderne en Allemagne'' (1837-1841), an important source for the study of the contemporary

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

painting. During his stay in the

Kingdom of Portugal The Kingdom of Portugal ( la, Regnum Portugalliae, pt, Reino de Portugal) was a monarchy in the western Iberian Peninsula and the predecessor of the modern Portuguese Republic. Existing to various extents between 1139 and 1910, it was also kno ...

(1842-1848), Raczyński conducted extensive research on local art and its history and published ''Les Arts en Portugal'' (Paris, 1846) and ''Dictionnaire Historico-Artistique du Portugal'' (Paris, 1847); his critical insight on issues often little recognised or described before him make his works be considered in Portugal to be the first serious modern works on Portuguese art history, having since become an invaluable point of reference for later generations of scholars.

References

1788 births 1874 deaths Counts of Poland 18th-century Polish nobility 19th-century Polish nobility Polish art critics Prussian diplomats {{Poland-diplomat-stub