Medieval History
After the London exhibition of the Liechtenstein collection was canceled, plans were quickly made to fill the void with an exhibition based on the holdings of Hungary's premiere art museum, the Museum of Fine Arts (Budapest). An article in the Guardian (15 May 2010) gives one some idea about the selection process: when the show's curator, David Ekserdjian inquired about the possibility of including a Leonardo drawing in the show, the response from Budapest was: "Why don't you have two." In addition to important pieces from the Museum of Fine Arts, several objects will be included from the Hungarian National Gallery, the museum dedicated to the history of Hungarian art. The result will be: Treasures from Budapest: European Masterpieces from Leonardo to Schiele (25 September, 2010 - 12 December, 2010).
Little if any art historical significance can be expected from such exhibitions - although in addition to providing viewing pleasure to their public, they presumably draw some attention to Hungary and the rich artistic collections of the country. In this context it was quite surprising to learn, that one of the pieces included in the upcoming exhibition is a complete medieval winged altarpiece, the main altar from the church of Liptószentandrás (today Liptovský Ondrej, Slovakia). The altarpiece, made in 1512 and illustrated below, survived fairly intact along with its intricate carved canopy.
It is very rare for medieval panel paintings, let alone complete altarpieces to travel to exhibitions - this piece, along with other altarpieces in display in the same room (the former throne room of the royal palace of Buda) - has not been lent before, at least not since 1982, the opening of this permanent display. Naturally, it is a very delicate and fragile piece.
The difficulty surrounding this loan and the danger it represents for the altarpiece has been discussed in detail on the art history blog of Gábor Endr?di, an expert of the period. His blog is in Hungarian - visit it at least for the images, even if you don't speak the language.
The complete list of loans - including other important medieval pieces - is available on the website of the Royal Academy. You can also find more information on the exhibition there.
- New Medieval Exhibition At The Hungarian National Gallery
Maria gravida, Vienna, 1409 see in high resolution I haven't had time to upload anything here for over a month - but a lot has happened in Hungary in the field of medieval art. I will try to catch up with a series of brief posts. First, I would...
- In Memoriam Miklós Mojzer
Miklós Mojzer in 2006 Miklós Mojzer, the former director of the Museum of Fine Arts, passed away last weekend in the 83rd year of life (1931-2014).Miklós Mojzer was an outstanding scholar of medieval and Baroque art. Born in 1931, he had studied...
- Hungarian National Gallery In Crisis
Throne room in the former royal palace - now the home of winged altarpieces in the National Gallery Hungary (and its capital, Budapest) has a rich and multi-layered art museum system, the result of almost two centuries of organic development (I wrote...
- Medieval Holdings Of Budapest Museums
I often find myself trying to explain the system of Budapest's major art museums to foreigners. Although it is a clear system, it can still be confusing at times. For example, you can find important medieval artworks in all major museums of the capital....
- Medieval Art Exhibitions Worldwide
Virgin and Child from Toporc, Hungarian National Gallery Currently on view in London Two new exhibitions mentioned before on this blog are now open: D'or et de feu - L'art en Slovaquie à la fin du Moyen Âge, at the Musée du Moyen Âge...
Medieval History
Medieval winged altarpiece to travel to London
After the London exhibition of the Liechtenstein collection was canceled, plans were quickly made to fill the void with an exhibition based on the holdings of Hungary's premiere art museum, the Museum of Fine Arts (Budapest). An article in the Guardian (15 May 2010) gives one some idea about the selection process: when the show's curator, David Ekserdjian inquired about the possibility of including a Leonardo drawing in the show, the response from Budapest was: "Why don't you have two." In addition to important pieces from the Museum of Fine Arts, several objects will be included from the Hungarian National Gallery, the museum dedicated to the history of Hungarian art. The result will be: Treasures from Budapest: European Masterpieces from Leonardo to Schiele (25 September, 2010 - 12 December, 2010).
Little if any art historical significance can be expected from such exhibitions - although in addition to providing viewing pleasure to their public, they presumably draw some attention to Hungary and the rich artistic collections of the country. In this context it was quite surprising to learn, that one of the pieces included in the upcoming exhibition is a complete medieval winged altarpiece, the main altar from the church of Liptószentandrás (today Liptovský Ondrej, Slovakia). The altarpiece, made in 1512 and illustrated below, survived fairly intact along with its intricate carved canopy.
It is very rare for medieval panel paintings, let alone complete altarpieces to travel to exhibitions - this piece, along with other altarpieces in display in the same room (the former throne room of the royal palace of Buda) - has not been lent before, at least not since 1982, the opening of this permanent display. Naturally, it is a very delicate and fragile piece.
The difficulty surrounding this loan and the danger it represents for the altarpiece has been discussed in detail on the art history blog of Gábor Endr?di, an expert of the period. His blog is in Hungarian - visit it at least for the images, even if you don't speak the language.
The complete list of loans - including other important medieval pieces - is available on the website of the Royal Academy. You can also find more information on the exhibition there.
- New Medieval Exhibition At The Hungarian National Gallery
Maria gravida, Vienna, 1409 see in high resolution I haven't had time to upload anything here for over a month - but a lot has happened in Hungary in the field of medieval art. I will try to catch up with a series of brief posts. First, I would...
- In Memoriam Miklós Mojzer
Miklós Mojzer in 2006 Miklós Mojzer, the former director of the Museum of Fine Arts, passed away last weekend in the 83rd year of life (1931-2014).Miklós Mojzer was an outstanding scholar of medieval and Baroque art. Born in 1931, he had studied...
- Hungarian National Gallery In Crisis
Throne room in the former royal palace - now the home of winged altarpieces in the National Gallery Hungary (and its capital, Budapest) has a rich and multi-layered art museum system, the result of almost two centuries of organic development (I wrote...
- Medieval Holdings Of Budapest Museums
I often find myself trying to explain the system of Budapest's major art museums to foreigners. Although it is a clear system, it can still be confusing at times. For example, you can find important medieval artworks in all major museums of the capital....
- Medieval Art Exhibitions Worldwide
Virgin and Child from Toporc, Hungarian National Gallery Currently on view in London Two new exhibitions mentioned before on this blog are now open: D'or et de feu - L'art en Slovaquie à la fin du Moyen Âge, at the Musée du Moyen Âge...