Verbulch, tribal leader of the Hungarians 

Josef Kriehuber captured “Verbulch, tribal leader of the Hungarians” in a monochromatic lithograph. The neutral palette directs our gaze to the leader's form, rendered with meticulous detail against a muted landscape. The composition emphasizes Verbulch's commanding presence through the strategic arrangement of his weaponry. The axe, held aloft, contrasts with the bow, which is pulled taut, creating a dynamic tension. This juxtaposition introduces a semiotic interplay, where the axe symbolizes immediate force, and the bow, strategic intent. The artist uses line and texture to give weight and substance to the figure. This emphasis on Verbulch’s materiality—his clothing, weapons, and stance—serves to highlight a certain reading of strength and preparedness. The work is not merely a portrait, but a constructed representation of power.