Tag: medieval art

Postcard from Budapest, Hungary: A phoenix arose from the ashes

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As described in detail in the prior post, if Buda Castle were a cat, it probably has used up all nine of its lives. Bombarded and burned numerous times through the centuries, most recently during World War II, the hilltop palace was rebuilt over and over by determined Hungarians.

The Hungarian National Gallery moved into the Royal Palace in 1975. The immense collection of Hungarian art housed within ranges from late medieval to contemporary.

The figure above is a portion of “Apocalypse,” a sculptural work by artist Rudolf Rezso Berczeller (1912-1992) suspended dramatically in the central dome. Viewed from the outside, the landmark dome of Buda Castle appears from earlier times; inside, the soaring space is strikingly contemporary.

These photos represent a small sampling of the gallery’s holdings.

Virgin and Child, Toporec, Slovakia, 1420
“Maya,” Gyula Pauer, 1978
“Man,” Gyorgy Jovanovics, 1968
Saint Dennis, 17th century
Madonna of Andras Bathory, 1526
“Great Purifying Storm,” Tamas Lossonczy, 1961
“Apocalypse,” Rezso Rudolf Berczeller, 1991
“Movement – Motionless Movement II,” Kati Gulyas, 1979
“Apocalypse,” Rezso Rudolf Berczeller, 1991
“Let Me Sink Upwards,” Sandor Altorjai, 1967

Postcard From Bologna, Italy: Yes, there was art before the Renaissance

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The Palazzo Ghisilardi serves as the home of Museo Civico Medievale in Bologna. The palace dates from the period, (1446-1506), when the Bentivoglio family controlled the city. Papal politics alternately kept or swept members of the Bentivoglio family in and out of power, often resulting in assassinations of the heads of the family.

Long lines form next door at the Palazzo Fava for the excellent Edward Hopper exhibition running through July 24, but the medieval collection can be viewed peacefully and leisurely.