Földes Mária: Ornamentation - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1993)
ported by angular atlases also relieves the strict contours. In keeping with the spirit of the building there is only a small amount of sculptural decoration, made up of stylized, geometrical motifs, such are the repeated patterns articulating the metal covering of the shop level with their reserved, yet typically turn-of-the-century style. We can enter the office section through an impressive swing-door. Only the remains of the once elegant, also geometrically decorated, marble floor-covering can now be seen on the section of the hallway leading up to the staircase. There, however, many fine features make up for the sight of the somewhat ruinous vestibule. The red and black marble covering of the staircase is similar to that of the entrance hall. Above are some beautifully wrought, brass-covered oval lamps. The wonderful, different coloured stained glass windows on each floor are an exquisite sight. The magnificent flowers and coloured birds on the top floor are followed by the figures of the hunting Diana and of Orpheus walking with a panther. Their style strongly binds them to the period, but the stained glass windows of every other floor are made up of the geometrical motifs seen on the facade. By way of taking a rest we can sit down for a while on a bench in the square outside the building. We shall need all the strength we can muster for the next leg of our walk. It takes us to some more banks and large buildings. The first is the former General Credit Bank of Hungary, which was erected on the huge plot bordered by a square and two streets: József nádor tér, Szende Pál utca and Dorottya utca. Today the building houses the Ministry of Finance (no. 3 József nádor tér). As is recognizable, this building was also designed by Ignác Alpár. It almost repeats the articulation, the arrangement of columns, and the ornamentation seen on his bank in Deák Ferenc utca, except that this one is even more massive and more overwhelming in size. And the mixed sculptural decoration does little to help alleviate the oppressive impression of this haughty building. The sculptural groups and reliefs above the entrances fill up every space available that could lighten the composition. The reliefs composed of symbolic figures are here placed on the third floor ledge supported by enor30
