Andriolli created his works in different conditions and places. As a child, in Vilnius he always used to carry around a sketchbook. He studied painting and wanted to pursue this line of education. By chance, when because of a hand injury, he started to earn his living in London by drawing, it was this activity that turned out to be his greatest achievement. He created his works in his homeland, initially in Vilnius, then in Warsaw and abroad. He created in conditions that were not always favourable, as during his exile in Russia, England and France, where he fled to avoid being arrested. Later he lived to see better conditions, working for world-famous French publishers, which sought his works. However, he always returned to his homeland, which was not present on the maps and whose independence he fought for.

Andriolli was a very prolific artist. He was involved in painting, architecture and the most important in his oeuvre ― illustration. When drawing, he used a pencil or ink and gouache. He was endowed with an extraordinary memory, thanks to which an object, once drawn by him from nature, would remain in his memory with details for the rest of his life.

He acquired his drawing and painting technique by observing his father, and then perfected it during his studies. To some extent, he also imitated the French illustrator Gustave Doré (1832-1883), whose successor he was named by French publishers who recognised his outstanding talent.

Already Andriolli’s first works met with favourable reviews. An interest in his work grew over time, when he gained recognition not only in his homeland. The press systematically reported on his latest works, contracts, exhibitions and travels.

Like many other artists Andriolli could to lead a comfortable life in Paris. However, he felt a Pole and preferred Mazovian fields, forests and meadows to the luxuries of emigration. He felt connected with the Polish artistic milieu and in November 1872 he joined the Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts.

He was appreciated in every community in which he found himself, both in exile in Vyatka and in his homeland, as well as in the capitals of the artistic world, where Paris played the most important role. His fame grew, the public demanded more and more works, and expectations for an album of Andriolli’s works appeared in Polish press, just as was the case with the greatest Polish artists of the time, such as Jan Matejko (1838-1893) and Artur Grottger (1837-1867). A great number of commissions from many foreign publishing houses from England, France, Germany and other countries numerous orders were received, even after his death.