(Veszprém 1821–1883 Budapest)
A girl with flowers, signed, dated J. Borsos (1)856, oil on canvas, 98 x 73 cm, framed, (Rei) 

Provenance:
Sale, Ernst Muzeum, 1934, no. 26;
Private Collection, Vienna.

Catalogued and illustrated in:
Különlenyomat Müvészettörténeti Ertesitö, LI (2002) 3–4. számábol, Akademiai Kiadó, Budapest, p. 306, no. 38 (cat. 78)

We are grateful to Dr Gábor Bellák for his scientific assistance

This delicate and very beautiful portrait of a young lady bears the date (1)856. 
Josef Borsos shows his skills as a master of texture and atmosphere: in the silky sheen of the young girl’s black, elegantly coiffed hair framing her face, and in the silver hairpin at the back of her head. Both the striking yellow-blue shawl wrapped around her shoulders and the lace apron of her frock are reminiscent of Hungarian traditional costumes. The flowers in her lap, which she is arranging into a bouquet, harmoniously match the colours of her shawl. The painting is characterised by an intimate, summery atmosphere. The sitter is portrayed in an elegant garden with a fountain, the formality of which is softened by the leafy green with field bindweed trails on the left.