Szilágyi András (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 28. (Budapest, 2012)
Magdolna ZIMÁNYI (GYÖRGYI): The Hungarian Room Designed by Dénes Györgyi at the University of Pittsburgh
14 K. Róbert Kertész (1876-1951) architect, head of the art department at the Ministry of Religion and Public Education in 1922-34, undersecretary of state. 15 Lajos Ágotái (1861-1948) director of the School of Design. 16 Ferenc Helbing (1870-1958) graphic artist and painter, teacher of the School of Design in 1906, of the School of Decorative Arts from 1910, director from 1936. 17 Relying on John G. Bowman: The Nationality Rooms of the University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, 1947, 175, Magdolna Zimányi (Györgyi)'s article referred to in note 4 mistakenly names Elek Petrovics and István Varga as members of the jury. Bowman writes: "The committee chosen to select the winning design was composed of well-known figures in the artistic circles of Budapest: President K. Robert Kertész, undersecretary of state for education; Elek Petrovics, director-in-chief , Hungarian Art Museum; Louis Agotay, director, Industrial Art School; Francis Helbing, director, Industrial Art School; Nicholas Menyhert, industrial artist; Dénes Jánossy, ministerial secretary; and Dr. Stephen Varga, director, Institute of Economic Research. " Elek Petrovics (1873-1945) art historian, art writer, member of the Academy of Sciences, director of the Museum of Fine Arts from 1914, director-in-chief in 1921-35. István Varga (1897-1962) economist, professor, member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, head of the Hungarian Economic Research Institute from 1927 to 1949 were not members of the jury. Familiar with the University of Pittsburgh, István Varga made informal attempts upon Ruth Crawford Mitchell's request to persuade the Ministry of Religion and Public Education to set up a committee. Bowman does not mention Gyula Kornis, László Ravasz and Baron Perényi, who were members of the evaluating committee. 18 John G. Bowman's letter to Lajos Alexy, consul in Cleveland, 30 July 1930. University of Pittsburgh Library Archives, and Hung. National Archives, documents of the Ministry of Religion and Public Education, fond K 636, box 453,1931-12-4866. 19 Ruth Crawford Mitchell: 'The Hungarian Classroom October 26, 1939'; Lovász, John E.: 'A Roomful of Traditions - The Hungarian Room at the University of Pittsburgh' (hereinafter: Lovász 2010), William Penn Life , vol. 45, no. 5. May 2010, 12-17. 20 Dénes Györgyi to the Architectural Committee of the Cathedral of Learning, 11 June 1932. University of Pittsburgh Library Archives. 21 Dénes Györgyi to Dr Sámuel Gömöry, 11 June 1932. University of Pittsburgh Library Archives. 22 Zsolt Nagy: 'National Identities for Export: East European Cultural Diplomacy in Inter-War Pittsburgh', Contemporary European History , vol. 20, no 4, 2011, 435-453. In note 63 he writes: "However, in the case of the Hungarian Room in Pittsburgh the government promised a $5000 contribution, but I have not been able to verify the final amount." As has been seen, the Ministry of Religion and Public Education spent a total of 1400 pengő on the pay of the planners. The rate of exchange was 1 USA dollar = 5.68 pengő. 23 The two organizations merged in 1955, the association today has incorporated several other Hungarian organizations as well, since 1972 under the name William Penn Association. 24 The Hungarian Room in the Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh. Dedication Ceremonies, September 29,1939. 25 Dénes Györgyi to the Architectural Committee of the University of Pittsburgh, 11 June 1932. University of Pittsburgh Library Archives. 26 See e.g. Bowman, John G.: The Nationality Rooms of the University of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh, 1947, 175-176. 27 Béla Ohmann (1890-1968) sculptor, teacher at the School of Design from 1921, leader of the department of decorative sculpture from 1937. Dénes Györgyi worked with him a lot. Ohmann designed the reliefs for the Hangya headquarters built in 1920 and the sculptures for the Electric 36
