Untitled (Man with Collar)

The bust portrait was a stylistic motif to which Souza returned repeatedly. Rendering religious and political figures in disfigured and exaggerated manners, the artist often commented on his fascination and conflict with the Church and his mistrust of authority and governing bodies. In this work, Souza depicts a man in ceremonial garb. The ridiculous collar and heavy rimmed eye glasses meant to glorify and proclaim the wearer as a man of importance seem to instead overwhelm and ridicule him, making a mockery of his position. Souza painted a number of these political and religious portraits during the late 1950s and early 1960s. For a comparable work see Souza's portrait of the Sabartes in E. Mullins, Souza, London, 1962, pl. 49 (illustrated).