The artist’s wife 1924

Jozef Hanula made this portrait of his wife in 1927, and it feels to me like a tender and respectful exchange. The dominant colours are deep crimson and sombre blacks, setting a subdued, contemplative mood. I imagine Jozef carefully mixing his paints, trying to capture not just his wife’s likeness, but something of her essence. Look at the way her hands are clasped, a gold ring catching the light. There's a quiet strength in her gaze, an understanding that comes from shared life and intimacy. I wonder what they were thinking, those two, during the sittings for this portrait? Was there conversation, laughter, or just comfortable silence? What I love about this painting is its honesty. It's not flashy or overly sentimental, but it feels real. It reminds us that portraiture, at its best, is a conversation between artist and sitter, each leaving their mark on the canvas. We continue this conversation, inspired by the painter, and by his muse.