The Lamp Lighter 1921

"The Lamp Lighter" (1921) by Hungarian artist Sandor Bortnyik is a prime example of geometric abstraction. The painting portrays a lamplighter in a city setting, characterized by stark geometric shapes and a limited color palette. The lamplighter, rendered in shades of brown and gray, kneels and illuminates a lamppost against a backdrop of simplified buildings with bold, flat planes of color. This Cubist-influenced work exemplifies Bortnyik's exploration of form and composition, typical of his early style. The artwork, while showcasing technical skill, emphasizes the everyday life of a working class individual in an urban environment.