3 min’ read.

Ever since she could dream, Antonina Pawlowicz—founder of Antonina Poppy—thought of the recurring motif of horses. Not just any horses but white ones, dancing over hills and passing through fields. One of Antonina’s Polish ancestors, Piotr Michałowski, was a painter; many of these imaginings were derived from his work. The white horse was a strong element of his pieces and established a lasting influence within Antonina, especially within her brand today.

An artist of the Romantic period, Michałowski was particularly renowned for his many oil portraits and watercolors. He was notably featured in the Louvre, for an image of horses riding at dawn, entitled “Battle of Somosierra”. Through his paintings, Michałowski captured the extraordinary dynamism of movement displayed both by humans and animals. His canvases are rife with color, contrasted strikingly by bright whites and deep blacks.

Over time, Michałowski’s work grew much more metaphorically driven. His portrayals of horses were imbued with a sense of romanticism, making them seem almost otherworldly. Even so, his meticulous attention to detail remained, making these pieces some of his standout works. Frequently through the use of watercolors, Michałowski added several light paintings—accented with soft blues and lavenders—to his portfolio. His free-flowing drawing style soon made it into his paintings and matured their composition.

For Antonina, these horses were interpreted less like ordinary animals and more like mythical beings. In her mind they appeared with wings, thus solidifying their impression on her as being of another timeframe or world. Alongside that understanding, there came a sense of representation when it came to the spirit of her clothing and jewelry brand. To her, the winged white horse stood as an emblem of elegance, freedom, and unbridled imagination, all of which reflect the morals and message of Antonina Poppy. Continuing Piotr Michałowski’s legacy of ingenuity, individuality, and graceful artistic expression are among Antonina Pawlowicz’s principal values.

For the cover of “The White Horse: How a Childhood Vision Became the Symbol of Antonina Poppy” we used the artwork of Rosie Harbottle.

Study of horse's head, Piotr Michałowski, 1846

He was celebrated for his masterful use of watercolours, creating works so extraordinary that they were exhibited in prestigious places, including the Louvre in Paris. Through his art, Michałowski transported these horses into a realm of imagination, where they could become anything he envisioned, capturing the extraordinary dynamism of movement in both people and animals depicted on his canvases.

The White Horse: How a Childhood Vision Became the Symbol of Antonina Poppy

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