RIPPL-RÓNAI, József
(1861, Kaposvár - 1927, Kaposvár)

Christmas

1903
Oil on wood, 67 x 99 cm
Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest

"Christmas" and "Sadness" recall the same subject-matter, they probably followed one another in time. "Sadness" is a more condensed variety of "Christmas", and it includes more devotion. After he had returned to Kaposvár, he bought a house there and its rooms served as interiors.

"Christmas" shows a complete interior with objects special for Rippl. Dark patches of the picture - Lazarine writing a letter and the artist's mother, an old woman, about to leave - recall his French "black" period. The figure of the old woman is a serious element of the composition as dark patches are important from the point of view rhythm. Rippl was fascinated by the effect of blacks and bright colours. The decorative head kerchief behind the Christmas tree, furniture with striped cover over it, the lively green of the philodendron and the Christmas decorations flash up to soften the seriousness of the composition and reflect the atmosphere of Christmas.


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