Athletes

Two young athletes stand close together, facing the camera and standing upright, both holding a trophy. Their hands and forearms grip it firmly; otherwise, there is almost complete stillness - the movement seems to have been frozen in time. That is precisely what appeals to me: a sporting motif that is not loud, that does not tell the story of the competition, but rather observes posture and concentration, almost like a study. Black jerseys and white shorts define the figures within distinct areas, whilst warm skin tones stand out against the brown background. The satin-finished ‘Leonardo’ canvas conveys this effect well, as the light models the shoulders, arms and legs without harsh drama, whilst preserving the soft transitions on the surface. Even the metallic goblet adds only a subtle accent. Károly Ferenczy painted the picture in 1915. He is counted amongst the defining figures of Hungarian Modernism and the Nagybánya artists’ colony, where the process of working on the subject was of great importance. This late work, too, is the result of close observation: powerful figures, but no heroes. The two stand more like models; their closeness feels familiar, whilst their faces remain serious and composed.

Here, Fenja provides the decorative frame in gold - a real wood moulding whose tone takes on almost silvery hues in certain nuances. It lends the picture warmth and a little more presence, without overwhelming the small subject. The picture itself measures 25 x 36 centimetres - in portrait format, the piece remains manageable, yet it does not look lost even when hung on an open wall, because the frame noticeably enlarges the silhouette and projects clearly out from the wall at the sides. As a result, the piece appears as a solid object, rather than a printed surface. Without a passe-partout or glass, the image begins directly at the narrow inner edge; a stretcher frame pulls the canvas taut behind the profile, whilst the edges of the motif run mirrored across the sides. On closer inspection, the definition of the dark jerseys remains just as precise as the soft gradients on the arms and legs. Ultimately, it is this contrast that lingers: the physical tension in the grip on the trophy - and all around it, a visual impression of great tranquillity.