Portrait of Artist’s Daughter Georgina 1910

Ľudovít Čordák made this pastel drawing, “Portrait of Artist’s Daughter Georgina,” in what is now Slovakia, at the turn of the 20th century. The painting depicts a young girl wearing a large hat and dress of matching color, but how does this image speak to the culture of its time? Čordák lived through a period of intense cultural and political change. As a member of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the region faced social and political pressures from both Vienna and Budapest. At the same time, advances in technology and industry brought new social realities to the area. This environment gave rise to a vibrant artistic community exploring new modes of expression, such as the pastel drawing displayed here. Art historians consult a variety of sources to better understand an artwork. By researching the history of Slovakia and studying the artist’s life, we can better understand how Čordák’s art reflects both the intimate details of his personal life and the broader sweep of social and political change.