Imre Jakabffy (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 1. (Budapest, 1973)
KOÓS, Judith: Walter Crane and Hungary
1896-ban" (The arts and crafts in 1896) — a copy of which I received through the kindness of the "Iparművészeti Társulat" — the same sort of evolution strikes me that features European art in general: from the simplest severe forms and ornaments of the Romanesque and early Gothic periods to the exuberance of the Flamboyant and the Renaissance ages. The particular character of the Hungarian people, however, its rich and inexhaustible imagination manifesting in the floral design, its romantic and practical sense as well as its great skill in the execution show up from the end. — Nothing can surpass the beauty of some of the needle-works, and patterns for embroidery, and the loveliness of traditional peasent stich-works increasing the colour effect of the costume. Many of them remind one, regarding type and form, of the beautiful Persian and Indian embroideries. The laces and woven works in general make an impression of great beauty as well as the goldsmith's works, in which branch of the industrial arts the fine artistic imagination has almost free scope. The ironworks and the motifs that can be seen on the arms and armours as well as on the wood carvings are all charactized by an extraordinary richness of ingenuity. — This fertility noticeable in the more modern works of decorative art may seem too busy for the quieter English taste. But it may the very restlessness that features modernity. — The inclination for extravagant lines in some of the furniture designs is striking, while others are simple and quiet ... — On the whole, however, sharp and quick perception, experimentation, genuine creation, transformation, skill of the hands, and precision can be observed; and although — like in the applied arts of all the countries at present — the traces of different influences deducible from the Paris and Munich studios can be seen, here and there even the effect of English or Japanese and oriental manner of drawing appears: there is the characteristic Hungarian feeling in everything and dominates, overpowers every ascendancy. I am finishing my article with the expression of the hope that we Englishmen will be acquainted, very soon and as thoroughly as possible, with the Hungarian art, in all of its variations. As concerns me, I shall have the honour in a few months to see it and you personally. For the meantime : Szíves üdvözletet küld Önöknek (I am sending my kind regards to you) Walter Crane" The Master wrote the last line of his letter in Hungarian (Fig. 2). Walter Crane's exhibition was organized in October 1900 in the Museum of Applied Arts, with the assistance of the "Magyar Iparművészeti Társulat" (Society of Hungarian Decorative Art). The poster for the exhibition was drawn by Lancelot Crane, Crane's twentyyear-old son (Fig. 3). The catalogue of the exhibition 11 '', which ran into its second edition, was designed by Walter Crane himself (Fig. 4). In the booklet, without an introductory essay, the detailed list of the 607 pieces of exhibited objects can be read: the title of the work of art, in some cases its price in crowns, its provenance and, with a few of the also the remark "sold". The great number of works on the show gave a comprehensive picture of every branch of Walter Crane's art. Original cartoons of staines glass window designs and photos of them, coloured designs of decorative arts, decorative paintings, textile patterns, sketches
