Ingekleurd portret van een man met snor en bolhoed c. 1920 - 1940

This is an interesting portrait of a man with a mustache and bowler hat by Ceko, although the exact date and medium are unknown. It gives off the feeling of a vintage photograph, yet it's been worked over by hand. The surface has this soft, almost velvety texture. It’s as if Ceko wanted to create a sense of depth with subtle gradations, by blurring the lines between painting and photography. Look closely at how the light catches the curve of his cheek, or the subtle shadow under his hat. There is a real tenderness in the way he’s been rendered; the almost blurry effect of the whole piece gives him a soft, human quality. The way this work plays with representation reminds me of Gerhard Richter’s blurred photographs. They both share a sense of ambiguity. What is real and what is constructed? Ultimately, I think art is about asking questions rather than giving answers.