Portrait of Maria Mihaylova-Marushka (the daughter of the archaeologist Karel Škorpil) 1915

Ivan Mrkviсka painted this portrait of Maria Mihaylova-Marushka with oils, capturing her delicate features and refined composure. The painting feels as though it's been crafted with care, layer upon layer of blended colour creating a soft sense of volume. It’s as if the artist lovingly coaxed her image into being. You can almost feel Mrkviсka’s presence, his focused attention, and his desire to capture her essence on the canvas. I wonder what Maria was thinking about when she sat for this painting. The lace collar around her neck is a particularly beautiful detail – so intricate! The blue of her dress is serene and complements her pale skin, making her profile stand out against the warm, blurred background. The way the light gently catches her face, illuminating her eye, gives her a sense of depth. Mrkviсka’s painting connects to a rich history of portraiture, where artists sought to immortalize their subjects, revealing something about their character. It’s a conversation across time, each artist building on the insights of those who came before.