1863-1866
albumin paper 22.7 x 27.8 cm, mounted on cardboard 27.9 x 33.8 cm,
the "Fot. K. Beyer" inscription in the print comes from the negative,
vintage print

Considered to be the first professional photographer in Warsaw, Beyer portrayed in his atelier a number of important figures and officials. The photograph shows members of the 3rd Council of State of the Congress Kingdom of Poland reactivated in 1861 under administrative concessions granted by the Russian government to the Kingdom following the patriotic manifestations at the time. The powers, organisation and membership of the Council of State were governed by the tzar`s ukase, which abolished the respective central authorities, transferring their power to the Council. The Council of State consisted of members appointed ex officio or nominated by the emperor. The portrait in the centre shows Wiktor Arcimowicz (1820-1893), who was the Vice-President of the Council of State.