Czóbel Béla, Női Arckép 1926 

Béla Czóbel created this portrait in 1926, using simple materials: paint and paper. The way he applied these materials is key to understanding the work. Notice the thin washes and visible brushstrokes. Czóbel wasn't trying to create a perfect likeness, but rather to capture a feeling, an essence. The quick, gestural marks speak to a sense of immediacy, as though the artist were trying to capture a fleeting moment. The restricted palette reinforces this idea. By limiting himself to essentially black and white, Czóbel focuses our attention on the tonal values and the way light and shadow define the form. This approach challenges traditional notions of portraiture, which often prioritize technical skill and meticulous detail. Here, the act of painting itself becomes the subject, highlighting the artist's hand and the inherent qualities of the materials. In that regard, it’s as much about the making as it is about the made.