Savaria - A Vas Megyei Múzeumok értesítője 26. (2001) (Szombathely, 2002)

Balogh Lajos–Víg Károly: Vízkeleti Vargha Andor növényábrázolásai (1924–1926) a szombathelyi Savaria múzeumban

S AVARIA 26 (2001) lines is unique in Hungarian botanical illustration. The watercolours approach the limits of fineness imposed by the medium. Even tiniest details of foliage, flower and inflorescence can be seen. Neither his style nor his principles of depiction can be equated with any Hungarian school of plant illustration. He followed a path of his own making. The individual character of his depictions is so tangible that his works can be identified without fail. The Savaria Museum Natural History Department in Szombathely preserves 14 coloured and 17 black-and-white wash drawings and 3 watercolours. The inventory of the time shows that several drawings have strayed. One wash drawing is in the collection of Premonstratensian St Norbert's Grammar School in Szombathely. The life's work of Andor Vargha is a jewel in the crown of Hungarian botanical illustration that has waited far too long for discovery and publication. This short paper is a first step to presenting these works and making them known, but only with an exacting facsimile edition could posterity pay the true respect owed to them. Such a reprint would enhance book publishing and benefit the reading public in the region, while adding to the Pantheon of Hungarian botanical illustration a figure of whose output a whole nation can be proud. BALOGH Lajos & VÍG Károly SAVARIA MÚZEUM H-9700 Szombathely Kisfaludy S. u. 9. 40