Foreword to the Catalogue 2004
One of the most remarkable of progressive European endeavours in the XX. century depicted the inner tension and dynamism of its creator in the form of a picture, as an element defining style. This was based on the principle of nature, whereby the visual images were transposed matching the personality and the momentary aesthetic value scales of its creators. This endeavour, especially hallmarked by Kokoschka, became remarkable in his art, which made portrait-painting such an important element of all his works.
The very same endeavours resulting in dramatic manifestations have had several representatives in Hungary as well. Moreover, we may argue that this style has even became attractive to painters at beginning of their career by offering a manifestation guided by inner emotions. As a result, we can find at least one really talented artist or graphic artist continuing and developing the artistic and cultural traditions of this expressive dramatic character further in each generation.
Gyula Medgessy-Kovács, an artist in his forties, is a prominent figure of painting in Europe. A unique trait of his art is his ability to synthesize all the spiritual features of the endeavour mentioned above and has brilliant technical and compositional skills. His art is rich in spirituality, since he aims at representing a vital part of human culture full of emotions, with emblematic character, thus creating excellence. Faith, music, nature, especially flowers, human relations and the ritual representation of man have offered him an opportunity to create paintings which can be described iconographically and compose the major part of his life-work. The figures in the focus of his paintings are musicians and symbols as well. Music is transcendental, and the artist is close to extending the boundaries of painting in visual representation. The Biblical scenes have gained new emotional content, especially the Pietas and the series of Madonna with a Child. His paintings are characterized by philosophical fastidiousness, transcendental intimate- picture and the portrayal of fallible humans. His flowers may be still-lives too, but they are in fact more than them since they symbolize the sensuality of nature. His paintings of seaside scenes have recently created a unified composition from spiritual „buildings-blocks” revealing a new social view, while creating a unique way of depicting from and space. The bustling scenes of city life portraying the historical atmosphere of Venice are especially exciting by combining the special use of tools with iconographic features. His works are a feast for the eyes and provide festive moments for the soul to meditate on.
Gyula Medgyessy-Kovács, a prominent Hungarian artist of international standard is a master of unique fine art.
One of the most remarkable of progressive European endeavours in the XX. century depicted the inner tension and dynamism of its creator in the form of a picture, as an element defining style. This was based on the principle of nature, whereby the visual images were transposed matching the personality and the momentary aesthetic value scales of its creators. This endeavour, especially hallmarked by Kokoschka, became remarkable in his art, which made portrait-painting such an important element of all his works.
The very same endeavours resulting in dramatic manifestations have had several representatives in Hungary as well. Moreover, we may argue that this style has even became attractive to painters at beginning of their career by offering a manifestation guided by inner emotions. As a result, we can find at least one really talented artist or graphic artist continuing and developing the artistic and cultural traditions of this expressive dramatic character further in each generation.
Gyula Medgessy-Kovács, an artist in his forties, is a prominent figure of painting in Europe. A unique trait of his art is his ability to synthesize all the spiritual features of the endeavour mentioned above and has brilliant technical and compositional skills. His art is rich in spirituality, since he aims at representing a vital part of human culture full of emotions, with emblematic character, thus creating excellence. Faith, music, nature, especially flowers, human relations and the ritual representation of man have offered him an opportunity to create paintings which can be described iconographically and compose the major part of his life-work. The figures in the focus of his paintings are musicians and symbols as well. Music is transcendental, and the artist is close to extending the boundaries of painting in visual representation. The Biblical scenes have gained new emotional content, especially the Pietas and the series of Madonna with a Child. His paintings are characterized by philosophical fastidiousness, transcendental intimate- picture and the portrayal of fallible humans. His flowers may be still-lives too, but they are in fact more than them since they symbolize the sensuality of nature. His paintings of seaside scenes have recently created a unified composition from spiritual „buildings-blocks” revealing a new social view, while creating a unique way of depicting from and space. The bustling scenes of city life portraying the historical atmosphere of Venice are especially exciting by combining the special use of tools with iconographic features. His works are a feast for the eyes and provide festive moments for the soul to meditate on.
Gyula Medgyessy-Kovács, a prominent Hungarian artist of international standard is a master of unique fine art.
Loránd Bereczky
Director General of the Hungarian National Gallery