From the Diary of Casanova

Casanova. Confession. Deception. Fraud. Lying. Conquest. Confusion. Danger. Sensuality. Death. Dazzling, novelistic, frightening, and yet appealingly exciting. The stories of the 18th century adventurer never lose their interest. Strangely, when it turns out, backed up by scientifically founded research, that half of the stories are not true, and the protagonist has already in his lifetime thoroughly embellished his adventures, many of which never even happened – the phenomenon still lives on. Győző Sárkány, a virtuoso graphic artist with a plastic, sensual vision, found himself in both an easy and a difficult situation when he chose Casanova’s adventures as his subject. On the one hand, the fabulous riot of figural styles, his world and his age, was almost an opportunity.

Renaissance details, Baroque motifs, Moorish patterns, lavish costumes, romantic milieus and flowing fiorituras offer themselves to be drawn. In addition, the artist has shown many times over that he is an equal partner of the greatest masters with his paraphrases of Dürer, Raphael, Vermeer and Michelangelo. On the other hand, there is also a pitfall in the stylistic cavalcade that is so obvious. After all, the artist did not want to repeat another known formula. Therefore, he chose a form that is often difficult to reproduce, using as few specific adjectives and period motifs as possible. He captured the sharpest possible moments. The intimacy of touch. When, whatever the mimicry, the devious use of words, sensuality speaks honestly. The demon of desire dictates. From behind the mask, the body eagerly peeks. In this extreme close-up, to use a cinematic term, the archaic struggle of the sexes is captured in expressive graphic gestures.

The orgy of sexual subordination and supremacy and the pursuit of lust, is as authentic and sultry as a reporter’s on-the-spot report drawn in ink. Altogether, the image does not force unwanted content on the audience. With his surgical precision, he captures the pulsating spiritual underworld, giving us a key to insight, but leaving it up to us to decide what we allow ourselves to take in.

Gábor Szerényi graphic designer