Self-Portrait
by HOLLÓSY, Simon, Oil on canvas, 106 x 79 cm
Holl�sy’s “Self-Portrait” is one of the most upsetting pictures of Hungarian painting. The artist, who experienced a lot of disappointments and who is still optimistic, is examining himself. He portrays himself with great simplicity, with colours and forms vaguely defined, as an integrated part of his surroundings. A man approaching his final day, who has reconciled with his fate is looking into the eyes of the spectator to show what has become of his art. He is miles away from naturalistic details such as the glitters of surfaces bathing in the sunshine or dust stirred up do not belong to his art: his portrait is the manifestation of realism.