Wincenty Rapacki

Unable to find employment there, he went to Druskieniki where, in 1861, he made his début in Stare dzieje (Old History), a comedy by Józef Kraszewski.

He became a voracious reader, and developed friendships among the intellectuals there, including Kraszewski, Alexander Fredro, Michał Bałucki, Karol Estreicher, and Jan Matejko, who painted his portrait.

In 1869, he performed 11 roles over the course of 37 days at the National Theatre, Warsaw; receiving high praise from the critics.

[1] That same year, he had a small part in Cud nad Wisłą [pl] (Miracle on the Vistula), an epic film by Richard Boleslawski.

In addition to acting, he wrote novels and plays, made translations, and adapted works for the stage; including Les Misérables, by Victor Hugo.