Tátrai Vilmos szerk.: A Szépművészeti Múzeum közleményei 90-91.(Budapest, 1999)

VARGA, LÍVIA: The Reconsideration of the Portrait Reliefs of King Matthias Corvinus (1458-1490), and Queen Beatrix of Aragon (1476-1508)

27. Detail of the Matthias relief of a lion; his neck bent forward, had heavy eyebrows, his chin jutted out, and his mouth was fairly large; his body was beautiful, its color was reddish and issued a wonderful smell in that way as it was said about Alexander the Great's".

12 Furthermore the line of his eyes, and the lightness of his body were described as being closely comparable to this person whom he always regarded as his model; and indeed, he was said to resemble Alexander. Matthias and Beatrix are represented on the reliefs in profile, facing each other, in bust form, as has been the custom since antiquity. Not only is the material identical on both works, that is white marble in front of a dark green jasper background, but the similarity of their size, format, material, and style further indicates that they were conceived together; they are reminiscent of antique diptychs. The use of the two distinct precious materials, emphasizing the contrast of light and dark colors, combined with the minute representational technique, gives the impression that they are enlarged cameos. Matthias appears on his relief as a mature man with long hair, and crowned with an oak wreath. These were symbols of power and braveness, elements of the ruler's representation since antiquity. Dressed according to contemporary fashion and to his status, he wears a pearl decorated shirt, fur-collared overcoat, and heavy necklace made of pearls and precious stones (fig. 27). The representation makes the king appear bal12 Antonius de Bonfinus, Rerum Ungaricarum Decades, ed. Fogel, I. - Iványi, B. Juhász, L., Tom. IV. Lib. VIII.