The Eighth Tribe, 1977 (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-03-01 / 3. szám
March, 1977 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 3 Mrs. J. Pulitzer’s Portrait by Michael Munkácsy Schurz, Leonard Jerome, George Jones, Levi P. Morton, John Bigelow, Chauncey Depew. In his speech Pulitzer paid very high compliments to the Hungarian master, linking him with Liszt and Kossuth: “Gentlemen: We have met tonight to honor M. Munkácsy because he is a great artist and because he is a stranger in this great republic and needs an hospitable welcome.... We welcome you, sir, because true Americans, having no aristocracy, are ready to worship the aristocracy of virtue and the royalty of genius.” One of the New York politicians, Chauncey Depew also greeted Munkácsy and paid tribute to Joseph Pulitzer: “Without the contribution which Hungary gave in Mr. Joseph Pulitzer and the columns of the World, the pedestal for the “Statue of Liberty” would never have been completed.” In their busy schedule the Pulitzers found time to give a grand pre^Christmas dinner in honor of Munkácsy at their home. Engraved invitations went to such celebrities as Edward Cooper, August Belmont, Carl Schurz, Leonard Jerome, S. S. Cox, Levi P. Morton, Governor Hill, Wm. M. Evarts, St. Clair McKelway, Ward McAllister, Chancey Depew, etc. After dinner Pulitzer gave a commission to Munkácsy to paint his wife, Kate’s portrait. Munkácsy accepted the order with the understanding that, because of his limited stay in this country and because of his commitment to finish another portrait, he would paint Mrs. Pulitzer’s picture in Paris from photographs. The painting was done with some delay, satisfied the family and is still in the possession of the Pulitzers. It was exhibited many times in Paris and in Budapest. The photo of the portrait is included in the Catalogue of Munkacsy’s Paintings (by L. Yegvari, Budapest: Akadémia, 1958, and reproduced by Leslie Könnyű: Hungarians in the Mississippi Valley, Bethlen Press, 1976. p. 96. In the book “Munkácsy Mihály válogatott levelei” (Michael Munkácsy’s Selected Letters), Budapest: Művelt Nép (Educated People), 1952, there are many notes about the Pulitzers. In the middle of January 1890 Munkácsy wrote to Miklós (Nick) Szmrecsányi, Secretary of the Hungarian Fine Art Association in Budapest:... “Have you written to Joseph Pulitzer? I ask you very much that the portrait (of Mrs. Pulitzer), after closing (of the exhibition) should be shipped immediately because they want it back badly.” From Vienna on September 17, 1890 he wrote to his wife:... “I wish I could catch J. Pulitzer and persuade him to buy that painting from me.” (Evidently they were talking about another picture.) Again on December 29, 1890 he wrote to Szmrecsányi:... “I should like to ask you to send that portrait before closing, because the Pulitzers arrived and are staying only for a short time. If possible, they should like to receive the painting here. I observed myself the empty space (in their apartment) and it does not look good. When is the closing? I know it is very embarrassing to change the arrangements but, please, this time make an exception. I would be very much obliged.” In another letter to his wife on September 25, 1891:... “I met Mrs. Pulitzer. In a few days she shall travel to America but shall be back soon.” To Mrs. Munkácsy on June 20, 1892:... “I’m ready to write a letter to Mr. Pulitzer. I wonder, where are they now? Is Mrs. in Paris? I shall find out. I send this (French) letter to you because it might need some corrections. I’m curious what his answer shall be?” To his wife again on May 30, 1894:... “I didn’t see either the duchess or the Pulitzers or Madelein nor Mrs. Chaplin who has taken off.” The last note about the Pulitzers was in Munkacsy’s letter to Szmrecsányi on December 26, 1895:... “(In regard to the 1896 Budapest Hungarian Millenial Exhibition)... “I count on the portrait of Mrs. Pulitzer. Her picture is always available for me.” The Hungarian Millenial Exhibition was Munkacsy’s last public appearance. Although he and his last historical painting (Arpad’s Conquest of Hungary) for the Parliament was enthusiastically received by the king (Franz Joseph) and the nation, the great Hungarian artist by that time was a very sick man. As a result of his early venereal infection and his overworked condition, he has broken down spiritually and also physically. He had to be taken first to a Psychiatric Hospital at Reichanau, Austria; then — continued on page 9 —
