Although the painting studies portraiture with striking honesty and intimacy, there is, at the same time, a tangible distance between the subject and the viewer as Viola’s identity appears to be inaccessible. Nonetheless, the mysterious face attracts undivided attention as the unique technique used by the artist provides a captivating visual experience. Instead of using a brush, Nemes paints by dissolving acrylic paint in water, then guiding the drops by tilting the horizontal canvas only. This way, the painting almost builds up itself autonomously, the drops of paint turning into richly textured, membrane-like patches as the water dries up. Despite their visual flatness, the shapes suggest three-dimensionality, their light surface giving the portrait an airy feel. The artwork not only reinterprets portraiture but also investigates the fine line between beauty and repulsiveness.