Barki Gergely et al.: Czóbel. A French Hungarian painter - ArtMill publications 5. (Szentendre, 2014)

László Jurecskó: Béla Czóbel in Nagybánya

8. Béla Czóbel: Self-portrait, 1903. Budapest, Museum of Fine Arts - Hungarian National Gallery

entitled Ferenc Lehel in Nagybánya; the later is perhaps the portrait he painted of Jenő Maticska. Two critics of note wrote assessments of this exhibition which mentioned Czóbel’s name. They are perhaps worth quoting here at length. “Those seeking Ferenczy’s colours, patches and tonal value: József Ferenczy, Ödön Mikes [...] and Béla Czóbel. That they attend such a good school is fortunate, provided they study in that school.

However, this sense of solidarity may prove equally dangerous for them. They must apply themselves to drawing - seriously, agonizingly, anatomically, with exact detail after nature. Otherwise, on their canvases, Ferenczy’s broad patches swell into empty bladders, his brushstrokes writhe in turbid and incoherent chaos, and his astounding colour contrasts dissolve into soft harmonies,” wrote Miklós Rózsa. Károly Lyka - already mentioned for expressing the threat of Nagybánya’s academic style - practically continues Rózsa’s train of thought, although he foregrounds different aspects: “Worthy of note is a portrait by Béla Czóbel painted with a rich spectrum, thorough drawing and a certain neurotic brand of naturalism.”15 He figured in the Art Hall’s [Műcsarnok] 1904 exhibition with his Self-portrait painted in 1903.16 “The portrait by young Béla Czóbel, studying at the capital’s expense, is very interesting and promising work by a beginner, painted in a style strongly reminiscent of Rembrandt at first. Yet, the entire painting holds a certain self-confidence and youthful audacity that makes it worthy of further consideration.”17 Other critics also made appreciative statements regarding his portrait.18

Apparently, the positive criticism bore an influence on his great success, reported by the press in both Nagybánya (Baia Mare) and Budapest. In the autumn of 1903, Czóbel did not return

17 Rottenbiller Ödön: “Téli tárlat

a Műcsarnokban [Winter Exhibition at Art Hall]”, Ország-Világ [Nation- World], 27 November 1904, 25:48, p 954. Az Utak I, p 84.

18 “We may expect significant things from Béla Czóbel.” In: Marco [Márkus, László]: “A téli tárlat [Winter Exhibition]”, A Hét [The Week], 20 November 1904, 25:47, p 753. AZ UTAK I, p 86. “There is no shortage of new names. Among the new generation of men, the prize goes to Béla Déry, JánosTornyai, Béla Czóbel and Ervin Raáb.” In: [n.a.]: “A téli tárlat [Winter Exhibition]”, Jövendő [Future],

20 November 1904, 2:47, p 40.

Az Utak I, p 86.

BÉLA CZÓBEL IN NAGYBANYA

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