The Hungarian National Museum exhibits until the 16th of October its collection of prints and drawings from the period of 1900-1925. The exhibition “Painting on paper” is curated by Eszter Földi and Ferenc Zsákivics, it contains more than eighty thousand books and documents that due to the fragility of the paper cannot be on permanent display.

However, these works will be shown during the next six years, with six-month renovation on each one to accompany the permanent exhibition of paintings and sculptures of the twentieth century.

Throughout the historical period covered by this sample, watercolors have a significant presence in the Hungarian art; at least, this is what can be seen in the works and sketches that compose this archive.

Watercolor is a technique that requires great skill and training to achieve proficiency with the paintbrush and the mixing of colors on paper. The works made with this technique are performed in a single session. The difference between watercolor and drawing is that the stain on watercolor replaces the stroke, so it requires much more training in the preparation of colors and sketches.

In the beginning of the twentieth century, the art nouveau entered into the art scene and many artists added to this current, which renews the design, drawing, painting and all forms of art. The artists of the city of Gödöllő were those who integrated watercolor sketches and illustrations in line of art nouveau as Mihály Rezso´s illustrations based on a story.

In 1910 watercolor begins to be less used by the Impressionists, despite this, many artists kept the use of techniques that allow the use of watercolor.
The avant-garde artist Gizella Dömötör has several remarkable works of this kind. Dömötör was born in Budapest in 1894 and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in the same city. Married to the artist Hugo Mund, they both participated actively in the Hungarian avant-garde, by following French modernists and adding themselves to cubism and expressionism. In the 30´s, they immigrated to Argentina.

The interwar time was the most significant period for painting and engraving of the twentieth century in Hungary. The most precious works in terms of aesthetic and artistic value that the National Museum owns belong to this period, because the terrible economic situation of the time was linked with the decline in art sales, as well as the decline of art galleries and markets.

The Surrealists Béla Bán, Endre Bálintc, Lajos Vajda, Margit Anna and Imre Amos recorded the horrors of World War II in watercolors, gouache and ink. Today their works are in the archives of prints and drawings.

For more information http://www.mng.hu/en/exhibitions/grafika_akvarell_en

Nancy Guzman

This exhibition is a great alternative to learn the history and culture of Hungary and Europe through art, so if you�re in apartments in Budapest come to appreciate this wonderful collection of watercolors and prints.

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Translated by: Hans
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