Dr. Kubassek János: Cholnoky Jenő természetábrázoló művészete (Érd, 2002)
Dr. Tardy János: Előszó - Introduction
DR. JÁNOS TARDY FOREWORD Practical nature conservation, if it aims to be professionally authentic, can only be based upon scientific knowledge, and in particular upon biological and geological sciences. The investigation of the evolution of natural resources in the geological past relies substantially on the results of palaeogeographical reconstruction. The elaboration of proper nature management methods builds upon the experience drawn from the trend of environmental changes in response to modifications in a given landscape during historical times. The life-work of Jenő Cholnoky professor in geography, provides important contributions to all three aspects of practical nature conservation. That is why the Ministry of Environment espoused the great initiative of the Hungarian Geographical Museum and supported this publication. The book presents "a new face" of Cholnoky, which was relatively little known. As part of his work, the scholarly professor explored nearly every corner of the Carpathian Basin with his students. He considered it a prerequisite to his biogeographical research to have a profound knowledge of his home country and to explore the endowments and values of Hungary's landscapes as thoroughly as possible. His field observations constituted the backbone of his database. He felt it was his duty to explore as much about the country as possible, which became a part of his educational work as well as his passion. He was particularly perceptive to the aesthetics fo geological and geomorphological features. His recordings include photographs, drawings and vvatercolour paintings of the special sights and characteristic landscape features of the Carpathian Basin and more distant countries. The century-old, and many times hand-coloured monochrome photographs revive nearly the whole Carpathian Basin: the rocky realm of the Carpathians, the grim mountain world of the Pareng, the characteristic of pastoral animal husbandry in the mountains, farmhouses and life-bearing watercourse network of the Great Plain, karst feaUires of the Bükk Hills, the magnificent volcanic butte hills of the Balaton Uplands, loess banks and sandy shoals, glacial soilfrost features and spectacular ravines. Cholnoky advocated the principle that artistic interpretation can be a very special and excellent tool of raising awareness (of which he was an outstanding figure) and of high standard nature education. He himself was endowed with an exceptional combination of skills: his scientific background and approach were coupled with the precision of an engineer, a lyrical spirit and a genuine artistic talent. He performed extráéról— —— // O
