Knaus amicably accepted the young painter and undertook his education. The first genre Munkácsy painted here was the Yawning apprentice, which shows a yawning apprentice just rising from bed and stretching himself. The work, which was unfortunately destroyed and is known only from reproductions, well demonstrates the effect of the German genre painting, telling anecdotes and jokes. The study of the head of the yawning apprentice (picture No. 34.) was prepared from the painting. The head, free of adornments and idealization, represents the haggard face of a fatigued young man, one who perhaps has emerged from the less cheerful memories of his youth. The preparation of the picture, perhaps, gave impetus to the young painter who – as is clear from his letters – was dissatisfied with himself and feverishly looked for further direction.

(source: wikipedia)


Video of Munkácsy's painting: