Szilágyi András (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 24. (Budapest, 2006)

In Memoriam Ferenc Batári (1934-2005) (András Szilágyi)

Ferenc with various questions when preparing or planning an exhibition. Sometimes these questions were not strictly professional. For what reason is he attached to a certain artefact from the almost immeasurably rich collection of furniture? Why is it that from the magnificent, much-valued artefacts produced at the turn of the century he is particularly fond of the secrataire of Baillie Scott, a Glaswegian master? "Perhaps because its gracefully formed, elaborated inscription quotes two lines by Alexander Pope, a favourite English poet of mine", he said after a short pause. And then he cited - obviously, in English - the lines and another well-known passage of the poem: Expression is the Dress of Thought, and still Appears more decent as more suitable (Essay on Criticism, 318-19) So let us take the message to heart and stop being loquacious. Yet, if time allowed, if it was not for this tragic event that makes us give an inevitably incomplete and fragmented survey of a rich path in life more than three weeks after his unexpected death in an Istanbul hotel room, we should make detailed mention of other projects as well. That is, talk about those unusual projects that were carried out outside the musem(s), yet could not have been realised but for the thorough grounding and talent of an expert museologist. Above all, these include the historical reconstructions of halls or series of halls of famous listed buildings, among others, the library of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in the building of the one-time Academy of Music, or the re-working and furnishing of the representative halls of the President's residency in the Sándor Palace in Buda. In recognition of his latter work, Ferenc Batári, art historian was rewarded with the Knights' Cross Order of the Hungarian Republic on 20

th August 2002. Finally, let us say goodbye to you, Ferenc, on behalf of your colleagues - this time, very "personally". Thank you for setting an example of talent, perseverance and integrity for us for 40 years. We will aspire to follow in your footsteps. András Szilágyi