Kisfaludy Strobl Zsigmond (1884-1975) (Zalaegerszeg, 2004)

Zsigmond Kisfaludy Strobl (1884–1975)

Kisfaludi Stróbl Zsigmond Zsigmond Kisfaludi Stróbl (1884-1975) Estimation of his work even now is questionable in art history. His classical style does not belong to artistic works of representatives of the 20

th century, which art was impressively rising high, therefore pushed off not only from spectacle, but from own public. However the great expressiveness of style and works of art of Kisfaludi Stróbl - which works were made with incomparable professional knowledge - won't let him be ranked into the cathegory of "also ran". Kisfaludy Stróbl is often accused of having found his position fast and accommodatingly after every changing of social conditions, and he was the official sculptor of the existing government. However his incredible popularity and the fact that he always emphasized the art and manifested humility with respect to art, conteracted the opposer's accusations. Who was also this - in his own life not only in his country, but surely in all parts of the world acknowledged prolific artist, about whom after his death scarcely a few considerable evaluative essay or publication, which elaborating a work art of artist was published? What is our opinion of role of Zsigmond Kisfaludi Stróbl, how can we locate his position in events of art of the past century, which was settled down now for us? Zsigmond Kisfaludi Stróbl was born in Alsórajk in Zala County in 1884. Between 1904 and 1907 he attended the National School of Design Drawing in Budapest, which was the predecessor of the Academy of Fine Arts, and he passed the first three years. He could not finish his studies, because he participated in exhibition of his professors without permission. His talent, diligence and fortune did not leave him, he was given a studio, he worked hard, and his sculpture entitled "Finale", a composition with three nude figures won him the significant public Rudics Prize in 1912. During the World War I he also moulded a number of company officers of Austro-Hungarian Army. After the war he was the popular and often-employed sculptor of official personage, he produced monuments, portraits, nude figures. From 1924 until i960 he was the professor of the Academy of Fine Arts. In the 1930s as the fashionable sculptor of the royal family and the high society he spent a long time in England. An introduction to the catalogue of his exhibition in London in 1935 was written by G. B. Shaw, portrait of whom Kisfaludi Stróbl created before. After the World War II he joined the employment of a new public order, his relation to his programme of traditional classical style of his sculptures has a complete change, still the popularity and request of Kisfaludi was remained. Among his numerous assignments the best-known work of art is the sculpture of "Liberty" in Budapest. During his long life he got a lot of honours, his works of art are found in several important museums of world and great towns. 18