Ex libris van István Lusztig 1913 - 1936

Editor: We’re looking at “Ex libris van István Lusztig,” a drawing and print made sometime between 1913 and 1936 by Kornél Révész. It looks like pencil and engraving were used. The figures have an ethereal quality, almost dreamlike. What strikes you when you examine the piece? Curator: The formal arrangement immediately stands out. Note the deliberate placement of the figures in relation to the circular motif and the inscription. Observe how the artist employs contrast, alternating between dense cross-hatching and areas of relatively untouched paper, creating a textural richness. How does the interplay of these elements contribute to the overall aesthetic experience? Editor: I see what you mean about the textures, especially the stark contrast between the smoothness of the figures' skin and the almost frantic scribbles surrounding them. It creates tension, doesn’t it? Is that tension mirrored anywhere else in the composition? Curator: Indeed. Consider the vertical thrust of the trees against the horizontality of the inscribed tablet. The opposition creates a visual dynamic that animates the surface. And the symbolism present—a wheel, perhaps of fortune, alongside theatrical references—speaks to layers of meaning embedded within the artwork's structure. Do you find these disparate elements to harmonize effectively, or do they create a sense of disjointedness? Editor: I think they create a push and pull that makes it so intriguing. You've given me a whole new appreciation for the arrangement of simple lines. Curator: Precisely. Art often hinges on these arrangements, challenging us to decipher the language of forms. Editor: Thanks, that gives me a different lens for approaching similar works. Curator: It’s through this rigorous, almost analytical gaze that the formal structure becomes visible, offering invaluable access to artistic intention.