Religious artist of major stature who also completed significant secular works. Kossowski worked in many media, but was notable for his use of sgraffito, scratch-through drawing employing two differently coloured coats of plaster. Born in Nowy Sącz, Poland, Kossowski studied architecture at Warsaw Technical University, 1923–5, then painting at Cracow Academy of Fine Arts, 1925–8. Began exhibiting and taught mural painting at Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts, 1934–8. In late 1930s studied and worked in Italy and France, then returned to Warsaw. Suffered hardship as a prisoner in Soviet Union in World War II, in 1942 joining Polish Army, serving in Middle East; arrived in Britain and in 1943 was working in London for Polish Ministry of Information.