Műtárgyvédelem, 2008 (Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum)
Bevezető
INTRODUCTION Volume 33 of Műtárgyvédelem is offered to master Dezső Varga painter conservator artist, university lecturer on his 80th birthday. Dezső Varga played an eminent role in conservator training in Hungary: from 1969 to 1993 he was subject teacher, from 1982 to 1990 director of the Conservator Training Institute of the College/University of Fine Arts in Hungary. The reformation of conservator training and establishing it on a scientific foundation was his achievement. His eminent conservation activity provided security for raising Hungarian conservation on a European standard. It is an indicator of his excellent qualities as a teacher and an educator that his students became noted specialists and numerous leaders of the conservation circles of our days were once his students. He has maintained a contact with the university even since his retirement: he regularly consults with students, uses his experiences in directing theses works and helps young people to prepare for entrance exams. His extensive activity is indicated by the fact that he accomplished many technical tasks on a high standard for both the major public collections of the country and for the Church. He has been working in the Christian Museum in Esztergom for 53 years with unrelenting zeal, and in result, the picture material is unified and organised, and the paintings are in an excellent condition. The conservation works were carried out from a modern aspect, they are equally authentic from a historical and an aesthetic respect and the technical solutions are remarkable. Series of honours prove that Dezső Varga is highly esteemed is his field. He was honoured with the Minister’s Recognition Award for his excellent work in public education (1978, 1983), with Standard Award for the conservation of Lord’s Coffin of Garamszentbenedek (1980), with the Munkácsy Mihály Award in 1988, and he earned the titles of Eminent Teacher (1993) and Pro Urbe Esztergom (2000). In 2006, Dezső Varga was awarded with the M.S. Master Award. He was honoured with the Boldog Özséb Award (2007) for his activity for religious life in Esztergom. In 2008, the Hungarian University of Fine Arts conferred the title of Professor Emeritius on Dezső Varga for his high standard teaching activity and his prominent results in the education of new generations of conservators. We greet out master with honour on the occasion of his 80th birthday and wish him good health and years rich in content. Katalin Görbe 11
