Kostyál László: „Hirdette utcákon tereken” Németh János művei köztereken és középületekben (Zalaegerszeg, 2004)

„Professed in the streets and squares ...”

The structure of the depiction is strongly rationalised with two horizontal (almost straight) lines and two parallel diagonal ridges, nearly rendering the composition tectonic. The rigid structure, considering its essence, is unusual for Németh'

s art. This is not striking, however, because the organic forms render this structure less rigid, and it was undoubtedly necessary due to the central motif being unexposed and the asymmetry of the work. Nevertheless, a subtle feeling of dryness remains, the source of which becomes clear to us once we are aware of the structural rigidity. Perhaps this feeling may also be traced back to the shifting nature of symbolism: the natural and civilised landscape separate from one another, while their human dweller is missing and the hierarchy of motifs ceases, causing the message itself to become more universal while the irrational level of interpretation largely withers. An emphatic selection of Németh'

s art also carries religious symbolism. He has made numerous creations for liturgical places, namely for churches (i.e. Saint Francis of Assisi, Zalatárnok; The stations of the Cross, Alsónemesapáti; the Francescan baptistry well, Zalaegerszeg). Besides evidencing the orthodoxy of the people commissioning the creation of such works as the Piety statue in Zalaszentiván, the Saint Rokus relief in Zalaegerszeg, the Saint Stephen Monuments in Mende and in Galgamácsa, and the Saint Michael relief in Zalaszentmihály, these pieces also testify to the artist's faith. The Saint Michael relief is one of the clearest manifestations of the need for both outer and inner order. In this example the figure of the "angel prince" is not based on typical Baroque eccentricity. His figure is surrounded by a pointed niche which reflects the arches of the ancient church standing opposite. Saint Michael is depicted as a fearless fighter leaning on his sword of flames, the guardian of the kingdom of God, with the killed dragon at his feet. His sword is a triumphant cross and a scale referring to the judgement, which is further accentuated by rigid symmetry. At the top of the arch the role of the sun-moon symbol relating to the cosmic dimension and the stars under it is not emphatic, for according to the Apocalypse by Saint John, at the final triumph of the heavenly armies, not only earth but heaven will fall as well. There will be no need for them any more because Michael will have defeated the lord of darkness, and order and brightness will have eternal victory over their enemy, the shadow kingdom of chaos. The artist is able to contemplate our world with the eyes and wisdom of our ancestors through his faith. Even though it might not be theologically exact in every respect, it provides an inner drive and guidance strongly connected to our everyday lives. János Németh'

s faith is directed not only towards the divine but the human as well, and through this his art is enlivened, and he mysteriously magnetises his audience. László Kostyál 19