Barki Gergely et al.: Czóbel. A French Hungarian painter - ArtMill publications 5. (Szentendre, 2014)
Mimi Kratochwill: Béla Czóbel's mature period, 1925-1976
320. The opening of the 1971 Czóbel life work exhibition in the Műcsarnok, (Art Hall). Private collection 321. The opening ofthe 1973 Czóbel exhibition in the Ernst Museum. Private collection This art is supported by the official policy, by the ministry and museum directors alike, but mainly by art writers. The French language has become enriched by new expressions and painting has become impoverished. Painting means Delacroix, Cézanne and Picasso already applied colours, like Ingres, his inspiration did not come from them, his genuine talent was craftsmanship and a sense for plasticity, as he himself said. Painting must re-embrace its own inexhaustible boundaries and not go towards the boundaries and limitations of a particular direction. A sense of freedom is a necessity for a painter and his ultimate stance in order to allow himself anything. I am seeking how the great masters faced nature until they found their own artistic expression, and I am trying not to adopt theirs. I am not talking about quality, because although the object itself, the motif we paint, does not disappear in the picture but is dissolved in the interplaying colours and lines, through which we can convey the mystery of things, this is what is uplifting in a picture.” This is how the old Czóbel summed up his ars poetica, confirming his faith in all those principles that inspired and defined his art throughout his life. His fresh, latest works exhibited with lyrical tenderness received a great deal of coverage. Due to the countless number of visitors and interest, the exhibition had to be extended. The artist continued painting, mostly in his studio. He was tireless and again spent the summer in Szentendre, receiving friends and his models according to a tight schedule. And he started getting ready for Paris again. In November 1973, if but for a short time, I accompanied him to his beloved Paris. New tasks awaited him as plans had been made to open a museum in Szentendre for his collection in a historic building on the church square. Czóbel was invigorated by such preparations and the joy felt over all this. He had his works awaiting sale in Parisian galleries brought home as he wished BELA CZÓBEL’S MATURE PERIOD, 1925-1976 193
