Kertész Róbert - V. Szász József - Zsolnay László szerk.: Szolnoki művésztelep 1902-2002 - 100 éves a szolnoki művésztelep (2001)

The Artist's Colony of Szolnok 1902-2002

VILMOS ABA-NOVÁK (1894-1941) He was taught graphics by Viktor Olgyay at the Budapest School of Arts. He first worked in Szolnok in the summer of 1913 with Adolf Fényes. He spent three summers in Nagybánya between 1921 and 1923. In 1931 he exhibited his Rome period works in Budapest, later he held a one-man show in Milan. The contrast between the strength of colours and patches of colour characterize his townscapes and subject pictures. His ecclesiastic and historical mural paintings made him the most prominent figure of the "Rome school". They represented the neo-classical spirit of "novocento", Aba-Novák being one of its most talented members. He painted the frescos of Jászszentandrás parish church with Ferenc Chiovini. He took the subjects for his paintings from everyday life. He highlighted the picturesqueness of crowds, markets, processions and streets in Szolnok. He was awarded several honours, including the Grand Prix of the Paris World Exhibition. He became a teacher at the Budapest School of Art in 1939. He kept in close touch with the Artists' Colony of Szolnok until his death. MARGIT ÁGOTHA (1938) Her graphics masters were György Kádár and Aurél Bernáth at the Budapest School of Arts. She has had several Hungarian exhibitions and has exhibited one-man shows in Poland and Norway. She won the Munkácsy Prize in 1978. She is a woodcarver noted for her sensitive and playful style. ILONA ANTAL (1932) Graphic artist and painter. She began her studies at the Grammar School of Fine and Industrial Arts in 1948. She gained admission to the Budapest School of Arts in 1952 where her masters were Géza Fónyi, György Kádár, Sándor Ék and Károly Koffán. She worked primarily on the improvement of her lithographic technique. She spent time as a sizar at Artists' Colony of Kecskemét between 1958 and 1959 and in September 1959 she moved to Szolnok. She went on a vocational trip to Italy, where the work of Cimabue gave her inspiration. SÁNDOR BARANYÓ (1920-2001) He was one of István Szőnyi's students between 1939 and 1944, and he later became his assistant at the Budapest School of Arts. In 1944 and 1945 he was a guest member of the Artists' Colony of Szolnok, later becoming an ordinary member. His exhibitions have been held all over Europe. ERNŐ BARTA (1878-1956) Painter and graphic artist. He studied at the School of Arts and Crafts in Budapest and later in Munich. He was a member of the Artists' Colony of Szolnok for a while. He worked in Berlin between 1907 and 1912. After returning to Hungary he held a one-man show at the National Saloon. His finely wrought drawings are in the style of detailed naturalism. BARNA BASILIDES (1903-1967) A student of István Bosznay and Gyula Rudnay, he later became an assistant at the Budapest School of Arts. He travelled to Italy in 1925 to study painting. Between 1935 and 1936 and between 1940 and 1941 he went to Italy again as a sizar of the Collegium Hungaricum. He worked at the National Fine Arts Society from 1941 and as an ordinary member of the Artists' Colony of Szolnok from 1943. He held several one-man shows at the Ernst Museum, the Art Gallery and the National Saloon. He painted vision-like works in which he strove for strong contrasts. He was also engaged in mural painting. JENŐ BENEDEK, SR. (1906-1987) Painter. He started his studies in Kecskemét and later became a student at the Budapest School of Arts between 1927 and 1932. He spent a long time in Italy and Germany in the 30s. After 1945 he worked for a while at the Artists' Colony of Szolnok and then he moved to Budapest. In recognition of his work he won both the Munkácsy and Kossuth Prizes. 146