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Csontvary

An Extraordinary Master of Hungarian Painting

October 21 - December 12, 2010

Csontváry was an artist poised at the turn of the twentieth century. The richness and complexity in his works cannot be characterized utilizing the conventions of stylistic categories. Realistic observation, emphasis on changing light, the decorative, orgiastic use of color characteristic of Post-Impressionism, the large-scale handling of form and the strong diffraction of the colors often appear simultaneously on the same canvas.

The exhibition invited us to discover the works of this extraordinary Hungarian artist, who wrote poetry with paintings that reflect his vision beyond the currents of the period, his unique colors, his symbolic narrative, and the ""divine voice"" he claims to have heard.

"As a schoolboy I hated memorizing by heart; I looked at the Bible as a tale, and I rather longed to be outside in nature to listen to the warbling of the nightingale, to gaze at a flower here and there, where the polliniferous petals were busy with whole swarms of butterflies, bees, bumblebees and insects."

Exhibition Catalogue

Csontváry

Csontváry

Csontváry was an artist of the turn of the century. The richness and complexity in his works cannot be characterised based on stylistic categories. Realistic observation, emphasis on the changing...

Medicinal Herbs in Byzantium

Medicinal Herbs in Byzantium

Knowledge of plants and the practice of healing are closely entwined. The toxic or hallucinogenic nature of some roots, and the dangers associated with picking them, conferred a mythical or magical character and power. 

Giorgio de Chirico

Giorgio de Chirico

Giorgio de Chirico was born on July 10, 1888, in Volos, Greece, to an Italian family. His mother, Gemma Cervetto, was from a family of Genoa origin, but most likely she was born in Izmir. His father, Evaristo, was born on June 21, 1841 in the Büyükdere district of Istanbul.

The Battle of Varna

The Battle of Varna

Over the years of 1864 through 1876, Stanisław Chlebowski served Sultan Abdülaziz in Istanbul as his court painter. As it was, Abdülaziz disposed of considerable artistic talents of his own, and he actively involved himself in Chlebowski’s creative process, suggesting ideas for compositions –such as ballistic pieces praising the victories of Turkish arms.