Ex-libris (bookplate) - Stefan Kellner

Bayros made several ex libris pieces for István Kellner, a book dealer in Budapest. This one made in 1913 was published on the cover plate of the Bayros issue of a Gyűjtő (The Collector, an art magazine). Bayros favoured circular compositions - in this case it is enriched with flowers, showing a half-naked female figure in a large hat, holding a snake in her right and a St. George statuette in her left. At her feet, a monkey sits in a kimono on the quiver of Cupid, holding a pen in its hand. This picture is characterised by symbols from different sources, decorative effects, graceful details and erotic fantasy: the presence of the animals suggest love, while the large hat evokes similar associations. Bayros’ female figures can be considered as special interpretations of the «Femme fatale».