Rózsa György: The Palace of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

III. The ground floor

Boruth, 1873-1955), and József Szinnyei (by Gyula Tury, 1866-1932). The portraits in the main reading room are the following: Sándor Körösi Csorna (a copy), János Batsányi (a copy), Farkas Bolyai (a copy), Boldizsár Elischer by Ede Balló (1859—1936) and István Széchenyi (a copy). The memorial tablet of the Teleki family is the work of János Marschalkó, that of György Ráth of the Gerenday Co.; the joint memorial tablet of Zsigmond Reiner, István Sándor, Tamás Siskovits, Andor Semsey and Ferenc Vigyázó was carved by Ernő Jálics (1895 — 1964). The portraits in the periodicals reading room are the following: Károly Bérczy and József Gaál, both by Ignác Roskovics (1854—1915), Móric Lukács by Bertalan Székely (1835-1910) and Sándor Győry by Ede Heinrich (1819-1885). Turning to the right from the vestibule we come to the Oriental Collection of international reputation, opened in 1951. The valuable Manuscript Collection forming a joint department with the Collection of Old Books is located on the first floor; both are accessible through a flight of stairs from the courtyard. Of the paintings decorating its walls, we would mention the portrait of Bálint Balassi, copied by Géza Biczó from the contemporary original of the Bálint Balassi Museum in Esztergom. Returning to the stately vestibule, from here, opposite the main entrance, we come to the staircase. In spite of the relatively limited space available, a solemn effect is nevertheless achieved by its successful exploitation. Antal Skalnitzky used the same design ten years later for the staircase of the University Library. The semicircular outer wall of the staircase extends towards the courtyard. The straight, lower section of the stairs, consisting of steps made of white karst marble, is lit through three semicircular arched windows. At mezzanine level the stairs branch off into two arched arms which lead up to the first floor. The landing is supported by Tuscan pillars. The marble bust of István Széchenyi, sculptured by László Dunaiszky (1822—1904) in 1877, was placed on the landing. The pilasters of the side walls and the red Verona-marble columns which support the arches of the semicircular openings are decorated with rosette- and Corinthian motifs. The pedestal of the staircase balustrade is made of artificial marble, and the railing itself of gold-plated cast iron, produced in the Schlick Works of Pest. 16