Alfred Jan Maksymilian Kowalski, also known as Alfred Wierusz-Kowalski, was a Polish painter and representative of the Munich School. Born on October 11, 1849 in Suwałki, he was the son of Teofil Kowalski and Teofilia (née Siewierska).

After studying in Warsaw, Prague and Dresden, Wierusz-Kowalski settled in Munich in 1876. There he spent a year at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts and received instruction from artists such as Józef Brandt and Alexander von Wagner. In 1890, he was appointed honorary professor at the Munich Academy.

Kowalski's works of art often depicted landscapes, rural life and historical scenes. He had a particular interest in capturing the essence of rural life, often depicting farmers, their daily activities and their connection to animals. In addition, his travels to Africa inspired him to incorporate oriental themes into his paintings. These motifs allowed him to explore a variety of subjects and perspectives, showing his versatility as an artist. His painting "Lone Wolf" became particularly well known and was often reproduced, gaining great popularity, especially in the United States.

He died on February 16, 1915 and was initially buried in the Munich Forest Cemetery before his remains were later transferred to the Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw.