The Debrecen picture gallery, which was established in the 18th century, is the most significant of the representative school portrait galleries, and its expansion took place according to a conscious plan from the beginning of the 19th century. The series of portraits of benefactors-donors of historical significance - Mihály Apafi, Bocskay etc. - he was trained by the College's teachers and former students who have since become famous. The Csokonai portrait painted by Jakab János Stunder could also be a depiction of such a teacher (or one of its variants). The best-known portrait of the poet is the idealized statue by István Ferenczy (Debreceni Református Kollégium), from which this painting differs spectacularly. Stunder tries to reflect reality instead of the poet's ideal, and the portrait presented with convincing realism and restrained representation is certainly characterful, the grippingly intense look gives the feeling of a living person. It cannot be denied that he has a bitter mood, a nascent, somewhat sarcastic smile, which might not be surprising from a poet living in the conditions of Debrecen.
(Published: Vonzások és változások / Affinities and Transformations. Exhibition catalogue, ed.: Fertőszögi, Péter–Szinyei Merse, Anna. Kovács Gábor Art Foundation – Hungarian National Museum, Budapest, 2013. p. 32)