Barki Gergely et al.: Czóbel. A French Hungarian painter - ArtMill publications 5. (Szentendre, 2014)
Mimi Kratochwill: Béla Czóbel's mature period, 1925-1976
288. CZÓBEL AND FRANgOISE THURIN IN FRONT OF THE PARISIAN ZAK GALLERY IN THE 1950S. Private collection through the balanced proportions of the table board reaching towards the back. In his pictures Czóbel effortlessly arranged his own private objects, which lived their immortalized lives in his compositions. In 1952 on the corner of Rue d’Abbaye and Place St. Germain-de Prés under No. 16 he found the Zak Gallery, which became the venue for his exhibitionsforthe nextten years. His relationship with the owner, Vladimir Raykis of Russian origin, only ended with Raykis’ death in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg, Russia) in 1964. During these years the artist painted and drew in Szentendre from autumn until spring and then rolled up his works and transported them himself to Paris by train, where they were placed on canvas stretchers and mounted in the most beautiful frames. These pieces were regarded as something special in the French capital, filled with the summer atmosphere of Szentendre, with vistas of the Danube Bend and the cosy little town. He also used local colours in his portraits of models who later also became his friends. We know a large number of such paintings from reproductions in the catalogue published by the Zak Gallery. Many of them were also published in the United States, they were included as supplements to the studies or articles, and in the publications of Czóbel’s friend in Chicago, the art historian, art collector and gallery owner, R. S. Johnson. Many of Czóbel’s French works were purchased from the Zak Gallery by his friends and collectors (Segonzac, Szántó, J. Petit, P. Collomb, and others). After Raykis’ death a great many of Czóbel’s pictures were inaccessible for some time after the tragic death of his heirs, but upon the news in 1974-1975 of the plan to open a museum for Czóbel in Szentendre many pictures were returned to Hungary by either donation or purchase. Working together with the Zak Gallery was an important period in the art of Czóbel. His exhibitions at the time were written about in numerous studies and articles. The introductions to his catalogues were written by his friends (among them Braque, A. Dunoyer de Segonzac), and his recognition is also reflected by the texts on invitations (written by Picasso, Braque). His daughter, Lisa, came from Hamburg to attend the festive openings, happily witnessing her father’s success. During these years he and his wife spent long periods in Paris, since he had a studio there, he had his painting equipment in it and, moreover, his love of the French life and culture had not changed with the passing of time. Yet, around the time of his seventieth birthday he decided to spend most of the year in Hungary. In 1953 he became acquainted with Baron Mailáth and his family, who had been given permission to reside in Szentendre after their relocation, and this developed into a good friendship. He painted the picture of the baron, while his daughter, Edina, modelled for a great many of Czóbel’s pictures. Edina’s name is not included in the title of every painting made of her, but the young girl’s characteristic, fine head can be recognized in many of them. Edina also played an important role in the painter couple’s life when they travelled abroad, as it was she who supervised the house and the garden along with its produce. Czóbel held the Mailáth family in high esteem and always sent them a cake on the birthday of Imre Mailáth, the head of the family. This erudite gentleman who spoke several languages became one of Czóbel’s closest friends. 178 CZÓBEL, A FRENCH HUNGARIAN PAINTER
