Artwork
Red Haired Girl
Red Haired Girl is an oil painting by the Realist artist Bertalan Székely. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Hungarian National Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1875, *Red Haired Girl* is an oil painting by Hungarian artist Bertalan Székely. Executed in a realist manner, the work portrays a solitary young woman whose vivid red hair and dark attire are set against a shadowy backdrop, drawing immediate visual focus to her figure.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents a youthful female sitter, her striking copper hair contrasting with a somber dress that merges with the surrounding darkness. The composition emphasizes individuality and presence, inviting contemplation of personal identity rather than narrative or historical allegory.
Technique & Style
Székely employed the oil medium to achieve a smooth surface and fine modeling of flesh and hair. His handling reflects the realist impulse of the late nineteenth century, with careful attention to texture, subtle tonal gradations, and a restrained palette that enhances the naturalistic effect.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the Hungarian National Gallery, where it remains on display. Székely, known for both historical scenes and portraiture, produced this work during a period when Hungarian artists were aligning with broader European realist trends.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bertalan Székely (8 May 1835, Kolozsvár, Transylvania, Kingdom of Hungary (now Cluj-Napoca, Romania) – 21 August 1910, Budapest, Transleithania, Austria-Hungary) was a Hungarian history and portrait painter who worked in the Romantic and…
