Man Reading in the Studio (Self Portrait) 1939

Kmetty János’s “Man Reading in the Studio (Self Portrait)” is a self portrait painting completed in 1939. The work depicts the artist sitting in his studio, reading a book, and is characterized by its thick brushstrokes and loose composition. The painting’s palette is dominated by warm tones of browns and yellows, with a splash of blue for the artist’s suit. The artist’s face is partially obscured by the book, suggesting a sense of introspective concentration. János Kmetty was a prominent Hungarian painter known for his portraits, landscapes, and still lifes. He was a member of the Nagybánya art colony and later embraced a more expressionistic style.