Kronprinz Otto 1917

Gyula Benczúr painted this portrait of Kronprinz Otto with oils, and with so much gold, there's a kind of alchemy happening! The artist is not trying to render what he sees so much as he's building up a presence. Check out the boy's robe, how the brushstrokes revel in the heavy texture, almost like liquid metal, capturing the sheen with these energetic marks. It’s not just about how light reflects but more about the very act of applying paint. Notice the white furry trim around the edges of the robe. See how the painter has repeatedly applied the paint to give the fur a fluffy texture. It’s a dance between representation and abstraction. It’s pretty clear that Benczúr really enjoys applying this creamy paint. Like Sargent or Manet, Benczúr transforms the conventions of portraiture into something very modern. This is not just a picture of a young royal, but a celebration of the magic of painting.