Károly Lotz’s Famous Painting Returns to Royal Castle of Gödöllő

Hungary Today 2024.02.17.

The return of Károly Lotz’s painting Ménes to its original place in the riding stables of the Royal Castle of Gödöllő, marks a momentous occasion in Hungary’s cultural restoration efforts, Magyar Nemzet reports. Deputy Secretary of State Máté Vincze underscored the significance of this event, highlighting Hungary’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.

At the unveiling ceremony, the Deputy Secretary of State emphasized Hungary’s dedication to cultural preservation, noting the government’s investment of over HUF 620 billion (EUR 1.5 billion) in cultural infrastructure over the past 14 years. He remarked that

We Hungarians think of ourselves as a country, a nation, which is above and beyond the rest when it comes to preserving cultural values; we are European, we are part of European culture.”

This sentiment underscores the broader importance of returning Ménes (Stud) to its original location. Edit Meszlényi, Head of Department of the Hungarian National Gallery, provided insights into the painting’s history, revealing its origins as a state-commissioned piece in 1880.

Despite being stored in harsh conditions at the National Gallery since the 1930s, the painting has been restored and returned to its rightful place in the riding stables of the Royal Castle of Gödöllő.

The restoration work, carried out by a team of restorers from the Museum of Fine Arts – Hungarian National Gallery, represents a significant step in Hungary’s ongoing efforts in art preservation.

Originally intended for the Kisbér colliery, Ménes eventually found its home in the riding stables of the Royal Palace in Gödöllő. Despite being transferred to the Buda Palace in the 1930s, and sustaining damage during World War II, the painting was identified in 2018, with the help of archival photographs. The painting’s restoration and return reflects the fact that cultural heritage continues to be celebrated and preserved for future generations.

Fact

Károly Lotz (1833-1904) was a Hungarian painter of German origin, representative of the 19th century Academic style. Famous for his portrait and mural paintings (Opera House, Budapest; St. Stephen’s Basilica; Old Kunsthalle), he was the most famous fresco painter of his time. His subjects were drawn from ancient mythology, the Bible, and the Hungarian peasant landscape and life.

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Via Magyar Nemzet; Featured Image: Facebook / Gödöllő