Bildnis Graf Heinrich Larisch-Moennich 1905

Philip Alexius de László made this painting of Graf Heinrich Larisch-Moennich with oil on canvas; it’s really all about the earthy tones, isn't it? From the browns and tans of the background to the Count’s, shall we say, distinctive breeches. The paint is applied in thin layers, creating a smooth surface that’s almost like looking at a photograph. But look closer, and you can see the brushstrokes, especially in the way the light catches the folds of the curtain. It’s almost as if the artist is trying to capture a fleeting moment, like a snapshot of a memory. And then there’s that dog, gazing up at the Count with such devotion, you can almost feel the wet nose nudge your hand! De László was a master of capturing the likeness of his sitters, and you can certainly see the influence of other society portraitists of the time, like John Singer Sargent. But to me, this painting has a quiet intimacy that sets it apart. It's like we're not just seeing a portrait of a Count, but a glimpse into a real human connection.