Teodor Axentowicz was a Polish painter of Armenian origin, professor and rector of the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and at the Paris workshop of Carolus-Duran. As one of the leading representatives of Young Poland, he was inspired by the Polish countryside, but he also created salon portraits. He was the co-creator of Panorama Racławicka (panorama=a painting covering the whole visible space around the observer). He was awarded many medals: the Order (conferred by Emperor Francis Joseph) of the Iron Crown of the Third Class, the Commander's Cross of Restored Poland, First Class, the Tenth Anniversary Medal of Restored Poland, and the Commander's Cross with Star and Large Ribbon of the Order of Restored Poland.