Imre Jakabffy (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 2. (Budapest, 1974)
KOÓS, Judith: A Hungarian pioneer of Art Nouveau: Pál Horti
made the same year in New York. These designs were sent home and published in the 1905 volume of MI. Pál Horti's American works have the title "American sketches" in the volumes of MI, and were published posthumously together with a painting made an American seaside./( Signed : Horti Pál. Summary Pál Horti (Hirth) was one of the first significant, original Hungarian representatives of the 20 century trends in applied art. His activity included all branches of applied art; he did not only design, but several genres he carried out himself. The magazine MI published hundreds of his works between the years 1897 and 1909, i.e. posthumously too. On the basis of these designs and his works in the Budapest Museum of Applied Art we may say, that in realizing the Art Nouveau tendencies, he followed the Belgian —Dutch —English direction, without representing the so called Hungarian style, that was interwoven with Art Nouveau. In spite of these however, in the rustic, material character of the works there is a certain national concept, that is apparent in the original intuitions of his designs. We have to stress the importance of his graphic art, illustrations and book decorations, the front page designs and interior decorations he made for the, magazine MI. His furniture designs show certain folk traditions in their natural material and timbered construction. His designs of wall paper, glass mosaic and glass window point into the direction of the linear, arabesques of Belgian Art Nouveau, with fine, personal characteristics. His jewels are of a special value, by reviving the best traditions of the long forgotten old Hungarian jewelry. His desings of jewels were realized by the most prominent gold- and silversmiths of the age: Samu Hibján. Pál Horti's activity in designing textiles was similarly significant. He was the first to design knotted and woven tapestry for the Nagybecskerek Textile Factory, and prototypes for the pottery and china trades. Thus, he can be considered the first Hungarian designer, famous for not only his individually designed and made works of art, but for his keen interest towards the active connection of trade and art at the beginning of the century. His one of the first work appeared in 1897, in the spirit of historism. Three years later (Paris, 1900) we see him as a mature and conscious designer in the full vigour of his art, having learned the technique of the different applied arts too. As a teacher, organizer, and designer, Pál Horti is an equal companion to the great European artists of the new tendencies. It was the design of the pavillions of exhibitions that held the different genres of applied art, together, this being the aim of international Art Nouveau. Pál Horti was a critic and essayist on art too, the questions of his age and country were reflected not only in his designs and works of art, but in his writings too. The activity of Pál Horti was of a European level. Representing the best ambitions of his country he transgressed his local frames. 188
