Barcsay Jenő (1900-1988) | Jubilee exhibition of the master born 125 years ago

Born in Katona, the talent of Jenő Barcsay (1900-1988) was noticed by Károly Gulyás, a graphic artist and painter who taught in Marosvásárhely. He recommended him to the Transylvanian Mr. Sándor Illyés Soófalvy, who covered the costs of his education for a year. From 1919, Barcsay became a student of the Academy of Fine Arts, his masters were Gyula Rudnay and János Vaszary.

When he started his career, he painted pictures with a melancholic atmosphere based on light and shadow effects. In 1926, he went to Paris with a two-year state scholarship, where he studied Cubism and became acquainted with the art of Braque, Cézannes, and Matisse. His trips to Assisi, Florence, and Rome enriched him with lifelong impulses.

Following his observations in Paris and Italy, his art shifted towards Expressionism and then Constructivism. He created a kind of unique Hungarian version of Constructivism. In addition to his painting, his graphic and art pedagogic work is also significant, and his 1953 publication, The Anatomy of Art, is an exemplary, world-renowned textbook.

The commemorative year organized in honor of the master's 125th birthday this year offers numerous programs. The exhibition "Hommage á Barcsay" was held in January at the Budapest University of Fine Arts, and a large commemorative exhibition is currently underway at the Ferenczy Museum in Szentendre. Furthermore, during the year, the Barcsay Prize was awarded, and other exhibitions, book launches and conferences followed and continue to follow.Our gallery thanks for the help to creating the exhibition for Márta Kónya, Kónya Ferenc  and Dr. Róna András.

Fábián Takáts