travel photography – Page 64 – Postcards from Barton Springs

Postcard from Budapest, Hungary: A peak at treasures inside the Art Nouveau jewelbox

July 30, 2017July 30, 2017 postcardsfromsanantonio1 Comment

Transferring some antiques from the Hungarian National Museum, the Hungarian Parliament founded the Museum of Applied Arts in 1872 in recognition of the importance of decorative arts and design. Acquisitions increased with purchases at major world fairs, including those in Vienna in 1873 and Paris in 1878 and 1889, and gifts from Herend Porcelain Manufactory, Zolsnay, which has been producing luxury hand-painted and gilded porcelain for close to 200 years.

With the growth of the museum’s collection, a new building (see prior post) was required. The grand opening of the Art Nouveau palace in 1896 was attended by Emperor Franz Josef.

War and political changes contributed to the treasures held by the museum from the 1940s to 1960s as items were “rescued” from large houses and palaces by the Ministerial Commission for Endangered Private Collections. The Soviet takeover in 1948 led to the nationalization of numerous independent collections.

19th-century uranium glass

Astronomical clock of Emperor Maximilian II, 1566

19th-century uranium glass

Parts of the museum were closed off when we were there this spring, as the building is being both restored and expanded following an international design competition. Renderings of the new wing can be viewed by clicking here.

Postcard from Budapest, Hungary: No need to even cross the threshold to be smitten with this museum

July 27, 2017 postcardsfromsanantonioLeave a comment

The first time we approached the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest, we simply admired it from the outside, loitering under the tiled arches of the entrance. Green and gold ceramic tiles crown the rooftops of the distinctive Art Nouveau edifice built in the 1890s with its design freely combining Hungarian, Islamic and Hindu architectural influences.

The museum is so striking, this batch of photos focuses solely on the structure itself. Renovation of the façade was ongoing in May.

The central atrium is left free of exhibits to accommodate special events, a serious coffee competition with the audience patiently watching the judges taste the entries when we were there.

The next post will offer a glimpse of some of the art meriting such an ornate architectural package.

Postcard from Budapest, Hungary: ‘Art is long; life is short.’

July 19, 2017 postcardsfromsanantonio2 Comments

The grandson and son of glass-cutters, Miksa Roth (1865-1944) wanted to move beyond craftsmanship to high art. He traveled on his own to learn from examples created by European masters. Upon his return to Budapest, he found himself in the midst of a building boom, with Art Nouveau and, later, Art Deco works in high demand.

Roth’s glass and mosaic pieces are found in the Parliament Building, Saint Stephen’s Basilica, the Agricultural Museum and the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. Outside of Budapest, he executed an opalescent glass dome designed by Geza Maroti for the National Theater of Mexico and glass works in the Royal Palace of the Netherlands and in churches throughout Europe. He was awarded a silver medal in the Paris World Exhibition in 1900 and Grand Prizes in Turin and in St. Louis in 1904.

Roth moved into his home in Budapest in 1910, and a large building in the courtyard doubled as the Work Institute of Imperial and Royal Stained Glass and Mosaic Artist Roth Miksa (In Hungary, surnames precede given names.). During its peak, the workshop employed as many as 30 assistants.

The house, now a museum, features three rooms filled with furniture he designed and mosaics, stained glass and glass paintings of his as well as some he collected on travels throughout his career.