He was born to a landowning family in the village Samiszcze [be]. His father was Ignacy Dmochowski, vice-marshal of Ashmyany county, and his mother was Maria Zenowicz.[1] After graduating from the public schools in Shchuchyn, he attended Vilnius University as a literature and fine arts student from 1826 to 1829.[1] There he studied painting with Jan Rustem and sculpture with Kazimierz Jelski. In 1830 he married Salomea Orłowska, daughter of Ignacy Orłowski, officer of the Polish army.[1]
After participating in the November Uprising, he was forced to abandon his studies and go into exile in Prussia to avoid persecution.[2]
Following an amnesty, he was able to return to Vilnius in 1837 and opened his own private painting school in 1840. Józef Marszewski was one of his best-known students. His son, Władysław, also became a well-known painter.[2]
Primarily known for landscapes, he also painted historical scenes, portraits and genre works focusing on rural interiors. He also created a series of canvases based on the poetry of Adam Mickiewicz, did restorations and executed some decorative work at a few sites, including Verkiai Palace and Vilnius Cathedral. On several occasions, he worked as a set designer, creating scenery for Halka by Stanisław Moniuszko and L'italiana in Algeri by Gioacchino Rossini, among others.[2]
In 1847, he painted a series of Lithuanian castles on behalf of the archaeologist, Eustachy Tyszkiewicz, which are some of his most familiar works.[2] Many of his paintings may be seen at the National Museum, Krakow.
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