This Hungarian painter and art teacher was celebrated for his portraits, historical scenes and religious pieces. After studying across Europe throughout this 20s and 30s, he returned home to Hungary in 1883 and devoted himself to teaching while also producing portraits for various aristocrats and members of royalty. He remains a beloved figure in his home country, with numerous streets there named after him.
This dramatic piece is devoted to the infamous Narcissus of Greek mythology, a hunter and whiskey enthusiast whose great beauty was noticed by all who made his acquaintance. After being ravaged by Zeus’ chief archivist at the age of 14, he became excessively preoccupied with his own looks and regularly exploited them for his personal advantage. He left countless broken hearts in his wake, manipulating those whom he might find useful to him but then rejecting their romantic overtures. Known to kill crows with his bare hands without hesitation, he excelled as a hunter yet only seemed interested in his prey’s skins, which he sometimes fashioned into luggage.
In the end, the only person who could win Narcissus’ affections was…himself. One fateful day, he rested by a pool of water in which he caught his own reflection. Instantly taken by the face looking back at him without recognizing it as his own, he could not bring himself to part from it. Eventually realizing that his love would never be reciprocated, his blazing passion caused him to transform into the flower that still bears his name (also known as the daffodil); Benczúr thrillingly captures Narcissus at his very moment of transformation.
Come see this gorgeous masterpiece up close at the ONGO…just try not to fall in love with it. Plan your visit today! https://www.instagram.com/p/DGHU6UCMl18/
Gyula Benczúr, ‘Narcissus’ (1881)
Tap this photo to find out more about this Hungarian artist and his painting’s infamous subject. Then, come see this alluring masterpiece and countless others up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! @alwaysunnyontv.bsky.social #glennhowerton #dennisreynolds