Hungarian Genre Painting

Hungarian Genre Painting

F194. Hungarian genre painting, by Andor G. Hovarth (1876-1966), oil on canvas, depicting a man enjoying a drink and a pipe seated at a table, mounted in a modern dark-gold gilded gesso wooden frame.

Born in Budapest, Hovarth was a student of Bertalan Karlovszky and Károly Lotz in Budapest. He later continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. From 1897, he exhibited his works in the Art Gallery and the National Salon. One of his works is preserved in the Hungarian National Gallery. Hovarth was known for genre works such as this painting, depicting figures from common Hungarian life. 
 
This painting presents contentment with simple pleasures. Hovarth uses mass and saturated colors to unify and balance the scene against a neutral background, and an impressionistic technique to suppress attention to external detail and reinforce an internal message. Rising through the top of the scene on the right is the large figure of the ruddy faced man with a black mustache is depicted above waist, holding a glass of red wine raised to drink in one hand and a pipe in the other, attired in dark-tan colored hat and coat which is open to reveal a grey-blue vest over a white shirt. On the left side, the top of the table is shown, covered in a bright orange-red cloth, supporting a large amber-colored flask beside a shallow green dish and a piece of golden-colored fruit whose juices drip over the edge of the table. Above the table, is a small dark-yellow colored painting hanging on the wall, rising through the top of the scene.
 
The muted tone and simple molding of the dark-gold wooden frame is well-chosen to display the vivid colors of the painting. The frame has a stippled cavetto-molding, framing the image with an egg-and-dart molding. The image is 8 ½" x 11 ½". The frame is 11 ½" x 13 ¾". Good condition. (JG1) $295.00

Share by: