Portret van Jenő Hubay before 1902

This is a portrait of Jenő Hubay, most likely reproduced in a publication by Georg Brokesch. It’s a printed image and because of that, you get a sense of layering; you can see how different visual elements are combined in the composition. Looking closely, the details emerge – the smooth tonality in Hubay's face, the sharp delineation between the figure and ground, and the way that the textures feel almost palpable despite it being a printed image. It's fascinating how such subtle gradations and deliberate placement of light and dark can evoke a whole world of emotion. Thinking about the composition, it almost feels like a stage. He is centered like a main character. You know, it makes me think of Manet, that same interest in surface and the construction of the image. With Brokesch, like Manet, the art is not about perfection, but rather about embracing the real and finding beauty in imperfection.