Elwiro Michał Andriolli was born on 14 November (according to the Julian calendar on 2 February) 1836 in Vilnius, where on 5 December he was baptised in the Church of St. John. He was the fourth child of Francesco Andriolli and Petronela Gośniewska. He was a frail and sickly child. The boy’s education was provided to him by his parents and Antoni Zaleski (1824-1885), wealthy landowner, painter and drawer, who had influence on the development of interests of the future artist. The next stage of education was the completion of the Vilnius Gymnasium. Elwiro observed his father’s work and never parted with his sketchbook. He was also musically talented and sang in a choir conducted by Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1872). According to his memoirs, published in “Kłosy” magazine during his artistic travels around the country, he also took part in theatre performances.