Szilágyi András (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 25. (Budapest, 2007)

Ildikó PANDÚR: The Role of Gyula Jungfer in Hungary's National Exhibition of 1885

Fig. 12 Royal Pavilion. Interior

with the permission of the National Exhibition Committee and that of the exhibitors. On the basis of a sole authorisation granted by this committee, as members the exhibition’s photography company Ferenc Kozmata and György Klösz ‘made many excellent photographs, intended as a collection, of interesting details of the exhibition area and the buildings on it \56 The photographs were printed in a photographic studio that operated on the exhibition site. Copies could then be bought by members of the general public in the small Kozmata and Klösz pavilion located to the right of the main entrance to the exhibition.'7 Ferenc Kozmata was the only one to display heliogravures (light engravings) at the exhibition. Of two such works, one was made, to a design by Lajos Rauscher, for the ornamentation of the exhibition certificate.58 A large ornamented certificate (without a medal), large bronze medals, a medal for collaborators, and certificates tor exhibition workers were all issued.3"

For his role in the exhibition, Gyula Jungfer received a large ornamented certificate, one of a hundred issued at the exhibition. He won it ‘for his powers of competition and execution, likewise for innovative, tasteful and excellent work in the field of

metalwork as well in that of the construction industry’,60 in other words in Groups XI and XXII respectively (Fig. 14). The official report, too, also emphasised the excellence of his work. According to the account given on the metalworking craft, ‘... among the firms practising artistic smith’s work, first place is occupied by the Budapest artist- smith Gyula Jungfer. The excellent work he has performed in this area for many years was displayed in a large selection of artefacts that were wonderfully made. These are in every respect competitive with the finest products made by foreign artistic smiths.’61 The official report on the construction industry, too, also mentions him in glowing terms: ‘In the first place are the products by Gyula Jungfer. These are exemplary for their good taste just as much as for their perfection and technical execution. It is the artistic crafts associated with building but have made the greatest progress in a relatively short time.’62 Jungfer’s success in international comparison is indicated by the following quotation: ‘Up until now, the most famous smith on the continent of Europe has been a Vienna craftsman, who, when he saw Jungfer’s entries at the National Exhibition of 1885, was forced to declare not only his admiration, but also that he

Fig. 13 Royal Pavilion. Interior

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