Self-Portrait

This fine, forceful and romantic self-portrait of the young Sz�kely is one of the masterpieces of nineteenth-century Hungarian portraiture. His face, posture and whole being radiate strength of mind, intelligence and youthful self-esteem. It shows a man who is aware of his talent and vocation. This early painting by Sz�kely, who was otherwise of a philosophical nature, is one of his most freshly painted works, bearing no trace of hesitation or theoretical meditation. The warm grey-brown shades of the background and his hair and overcoat give great plasticity to details of his face, painted in light tones.

Apart from artistic considerations, Bertalan Sz�kely was concerned with expressing the firm intellect and morals of the artist friends and contemporaries he painted, and all his portraits are permeated with warm emotion.