Exhibit Studies 101 (renaissance noodity warning?)

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Heoy.
Lately I've been visiting here in Budapest the Fine Arts Museum and the National Gallery fairly often, since my Uni shifted to home office and I need to escape my room.
And I figured I would share my experiences with you guys, since lot of the exhibits are really nice.


2022/10/08 // Fine Arts Museum // Matisse Exhibit
This Exhibit contained the works of Henri Matisse, famous for his Fauvist, Modernist and Post-Impressionist works, and is regarded with the likes of Picasso.
He can be noted for his unique use of vibrant and strong colors in his works, like blue, red and yellow.

I myself am not the biggest fan of Modernism and Fauvism, I much more preffer Baroque(Rembrandt) and Impressionist(Monet), but I do love Post-Impressionist paintings aswell, especially works of Van Gogh.



These are some of the earlier works of Matisse, the one on the right being a self-portrait of himself.




The one on the right, is probably my favorite in the entire exhibition, it just has a really nice feeling to it, aswell it is a fine piece with the style's minimalist details and so on.

Towards the end of his career, he worked with printmaking, which the exhibit also covered.





Which was, interesting nontheleast.

All in all, the exhibit was nice, not the most insane one, but sure a nice one. It lacked some of Matisse's most notable arts, like Woman with a Hat, but it's still amazing they managed to get so much of his work presented in a backwater country like Hungary lol.

 

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2022/11/06 // Fine Arts Museum // El Greco Exhibit
I went to this exhibit as a pseudo self birthday present as it was on the 4th. The exhibit itself contained the works of 'El Greco', a greek painter and sculptor from 16th and early 17th century. Most of his works were in line with the renaissance, specifically the spanish and italian renaissance. Born in Crete, his early works had a touch of Byzantine style to them, but following his life path, the influence of western styles can be seen, as he eventually developed his own style, a mix of the eastern and western norms.
The paintings itself could be characterized as a shift from the renaissance style to the early baroque, in theme, many of them are christian based, due to the era.




The museum had a neat ad hung up for the exhibit aswell. Also behold the hungarian fine arts museum, pretty nice classical style building.




As I said, very much christian themed.




I very much liked the latter painting for it's sparce color usage, mostly relying on gray and brown colors.







Something that was a note of interest in his works,was that he mixed aspects of his time with the original material, see how in many of bible based paintings, you can see armors, weapons and such from his time.





He also did sculptures as seen here.

All in all, the exhibit was nice, but after 3 rooms if saint portraits and such, you eventually grow tired of them. Sadly I was unable to get pictures of the city scenic paintings he did, since only one of them was presented, and that was flocked by a million people, like it was a Mona Lisa.

 

[Electric]

I absolutely love this!

 

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2022/12/10 // Hungarian National Gallery // Vaszary Exhibit
This time, I ventured to the heights of the Castle Hill in Budapest, where withing the Buda Castle resides the National Gallery. Home to many exhibits, but this time, it was about the Vaszary János one. One of our own, he was active on the turn of the 19th century, up until his early death in 1939. His works are best described as, akin to french post-impressionism, art nouveau and plan air. Also something truly interesting, some of his works draw inspiration from the simple and colorful world of Matisse, yet still retaining his more,relaxed and unique artstyle.


Presenting the Hungarian National Gallery.

A self portrait was the first painting presented, so it shall be the same here.
Vaszary János.

His earlier and beginner works were mostly personal and church comissions, so a lot of his paintings from the 1890s are portraits or saint representation.

But eventually the influence of Matisse's working had begun to show itself, as his paintings took on a more colorful and simplistic style for some time. Something to note, especially on the left one, his much smoother and relaxed brush control, compared to the energetic strikes of Matisse.

Spoiler: Noodity Warning, you've been warned!

As WW1 rolled around, the effects of it also festeredin his works, producing pieces such as these.

Second to last I've put my favorite piece from the exhibition, Forest Dusk. I don't know why I like it so much, it just has that sense if calmness and, in general good vibes to it. Not to mention the detailing, while also keeping a minimalistic style is amazing.

And at last, one truly amazing work, that depicts the nighttime Budapest in it's full glory back in the early 1900s. I want this as a poster in my room.

Anyhow, that was the National Gallery Exhibit of Vaszary János. I personally really enjoyed the exhibition, as it was something unique, especially coming from one of our own artists. Whilst one may brush over many of his works easily, stopping for a moment and enjoying them will truly bring a fun experience. His style of art bears it's own beauty.

 

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2023/01/20 // Hungarian National Gallery // Permanent Exhibit
I've scaled once again the steps of Castle Buda to visit the permanent exhibit of the National Gallery. The weather was rather bad so I made sure to seek shelter inside and enjoy the paintings. This was a permanent exhibit, as in, anytime you go and visit the Gallery, these paintings will be there. All of them were of hungarian origin, and some of them were pretty famous aswell, having recognized a fair few of them from the time I've saw them in my high school art history and literature books.






Yes as you may have noticed a lot that I photographed are landscape paintings. I have to admit, I might be a sucker for landscape paintings.


















These two were giant frescos, which greeted me as I went up the steps so, sorry for the poor light quality, I wasn't tall enough to take the perfect photo.








This has to be my favorite painting from the exhibit, it just goes hard, and trust me, it looks way better in real life.

That is that, the permanent collection of the National Gallery. I wasn't able to go out in detail on every artists and such since, there were over a dozen who's works are exhibited here so. I hope you enjoyed it!

 

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2023/05/20 // Fine Arts Museum // Csontváry Exhibit
Yes this thread is still alive! I had my chance to visit with my family the Fine Arts museum as they were exhibiting the works of Csontváry Kosztka Tivadar. Who, well I personally would dub as our own Van Gogh. Not belittling Van Gogh's work(heck not, probably my most favorite painter ever) rather drawing a parallel between the two as. Just like Van Gogh, Csontváry aswell wasn't understood by his peers, not up until after his death. He was a lone artist and most of his works lean towards expressionism and postimpressionism but, his style doesn't fully embrace them, being something uniqure. His use of colors are amazing and I ove his scenic works so, here to present.



The exhibit was made to celebrate his 170th birthday, thus the 170.
He lived back during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, dying shortly after it's downfall in 1919.


He was a traveled person, having visited Italy, Greece and the Middle-East countless times during his works.


Something of interesting is, whilst he was amazing and portraits aswell, paying attention to his scenic works, each person appearing on them look hazed and just washed lightly, keeping a simplistic design to them, instead going into detail.


And many of his works were gigantic. It's hard to put it into perspective with the pictures but a great ammount of them are over 2m wide.






This one was the largest one, quite possibly over 12 feet in height.


This might help with the perspective a bit better.


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2023/07/25 // Hungarian National Gallery // Gulácsy Exhibit
It's that time again. Having hiked up to the National Gallery to visit their new exhibit, it was a rather interesting and somewhat emotional one.
Lajos Gulácsy's art is one of the most intersting blends of styles and forms I've ever seen, he himself was considered a preraffaelite, being a self-thought artists aswell.
Most of his works through his life lies alongside symbolic secession, expressionism and towards his later years surrealism.
At most interestingly. He was invoked and highly inspired by Italy, speding the majority of his life in the country, not to mention his love towards italian literature and history.
He frequently did 'dress-up' in renassiance costumes and painted self-portraits in these outfits.

As mentioned, a lot of self-portraits in costumes and such.
On the last one you can see the inspiration from the renassiance fashion.


A self-portait that was created with the help of a photograph of himself in, said costumes playing an organ.


I love the style and general 'vibe' of these portraits with the touch of the costumes.


I specially like the last one, especially the trees on them with the fine brush usage to detail them.


Another made with the help of a photograph of himself, titled 'The Artists Devotion':
He was a lover of the italian landscape and architecture.




Many works of his were inspired by italian folk tales and literature, one of the biggest example of this is Dante's works.







And then.
WW1 broke out.
He collapsed mentally.



From 1914 until 1919 he struggled with his works, and tried stay afloat.
Being a constant visitor at the venetian mental hospital.



But he couldn't recover.
And...




At the end of the exhibition the last room.
Was a completely white room with a small display in the center.
On the walls the titles of his paintings were written, slowly fading out.

In the display. His death certificate and hospital records were displayed.
And a poem by Gyula Juhász, titled 'To Gulácsy Lajos'.

I teared up.I'll post the poem if anyone want's to meticulously translate it for themselves.
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2023/10/05 // Fine Arts Museum // Renoir Exhibit
We are so back. Back to the Fine Arts Museum, as this time, between September and January they are hosting the works of Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
French impressionist painter and sculptor. As mentioned, being an impressionist, he lived between 1841-1919 living through the entire impressionist wave.
One of the most common aspects of his works is that he always used or tried to use a model for them, let it be a portrait or plen air piece.
And as a fun fact, during the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war(@ me if you want historian rambling) he volunteered to be a cavalrymen.
But, he never got to actually fight, most of the time being stationed behind the lines.


In his early years he made mostly portraits to friends, family, and requests.
One of the most eye-catching aspect of these are the details. The picture doesn't show it well, but up close, it is truly sensational how detailed some of the portraits were.


While he was residing in Paris with a fellow painter, when lacking models, they would've painted eachother amid work or in poses.
Something of note, the paintings in the background, are Monet's works. Left for 'safekeeping' by the master after he couldn't afford to stay in Paris.


I was mesmerized by beauty captured in these plen airs, finding myself seeing the moment of it's capture.
The vibrant colors, washed yet detailed motions and general feel to them are truly beautiful.
(Yes I very much like impressionism.)




If you are familiar with Renoir's works, you might recognize this painting.
Or should I say, what it's trying to be, as this is only a concept version of the famous Bal du moulin de la Galette which sadly, wasn't part of the exhibition.


Relatable.


The second section of the exhibit focused on his later works, much more family oriented works.


I spent more time observing this piece as, I tried to study the workings of it to improve my own drawing.
We are amid Hollowtober so, perhaps picking up aspects and details from Renoir's works could improve my own aswell.


This piece in particular had caught my attention, more importantly the way the hairs of the two girls are painted.
I can't really put it in words how well they are made.


So... the third section of the exhibit focused on his... portraits of woman.
And, after being self-concious about it, I decided not to start taking pictures of the, in majority, nude paintings of 19th century madames.
Having fellt uncomfortable about doing so but, I had taken this one so. No more.
I assume you can imagine what the rest were like.


There were a lot of cats aswell.
Elz Suhkoiza the two of you might like them.


It also was a pleasent suprise seeing a vase aswell, but once again.
I continue to be in awe of his works, with the details and general colorful feel.


His tools were displayed aswell, the amount of brushes are mindblowing.


And finally, the man himself, on a recording from between 1918-1919.

In conclusion, the exhibit was quite good, it followed through Renoir's lifepath from the early portraits through the impressionist years.
Altho, understandably, the more famous works weren't displayed, but even what was there, was mindblowing.
Even to me, who is more of a Monet enjoyer, I found myself lost in some of his works, just trying to see the reality in the captured moment.

Can only recommend.
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2023/10/12 // Hungarian National Gallery // Barabás Miklós Exhibit
Back sooner then expected heheee. I was frying my brain out this week with uni studies and had to break off to do something.
So I visited a smaller exhibit that was held in the Gallery. And I was shocked with how good it was.
As for today's subject, Barabás Miklós (1810-1898), his was renowned in Hungary for being among the greatest, if not the greatest, of beidermeier artists.
You may ask, what is beidermeier? It was an artistic style between 1815 and 1848, focusing on the middleclass, their serenity and peace displayed with simple means.
Interestingly enough, the art style wasn't only limited to paintings, but had expanded into literature, music and even floor planning.


The maestro himself.
Something to point out, whilst it doesn't come off like that, the pieces themselves, most of it, were really small. Postcard sized nearly.
Such is why I have to emphasize on the details. It's truly incrediblehow well detailed they are, even despite their limited canvas area.


He spent a great amount of his time in Italy, moving between the towns of Naples, Florence, Venice, Rome and so on, and that can be seen in many of his works, with drawings, scenic paintings.




Once again I have to emphasize on the size of these pieces. Smaller then an A5 sheet of paper, yet incredibly detailed and all around amazing.
And as the art style had said, serene, peaceful.




But not all of the pieces are serene and peaceful as, he himself was present in Naples when the Vesuv did a little trolling. Vesuv had errupted EIGHT TIMES in the 19th century but, with the painting made in 1835, it can be easily narrowed down.


He also did a lot of portraits!






(Yes I censored it)




All in all it was an exciting and interesting exhibit with some truly amazing pieces.
Can only recommend.​

 

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2023/10/28 // Belvedere Museum, Vienna // Exhibit(?)
We are going abroad this time.
During the trip to Vienna I've got the chance to visit the exhibit inside the Bevedere Palace.
And whilst I was hoping to capture a lot of things,due to the sheer ammount of tourists swarming from room to room, in combination the little time I had left, I had to pick-and-chose.
But I hope it'll satisfy you art lovers.


The Palace itself. Always love the baroque architecture.


The Marble Hall and the view from it on the garden and the Lower Belvedere.


Suddenly Monet.




Klimm.




Whilst really dark, I had found this painting really intersting, regarding how it plays with water and the twilight.




Prinz Eugen of Savoy, Habsburg general and the one to comission the construction of the Belvedere Palace.
Interestingly enough he had been on this thread before.

The one in the middle atop the white horse!


And Napoleon. Just like that.
You walk in a room and you see one of the most famous paintings of him.
Huh.

All-in-all, go and check it out, theres much more to see then posted here, just avoid tourist groups.​