Francis Berger
  • Blog
  • My Work

Mednyánszky's Studies of Death (And New Life)

8/17/2020

3 Comments

 
As readers of this blog know, I hold László Mednyánszky to be among Hungary's best if not the best landscape painter, but the Wandering Baron also created many portraits, studies, and scenes. As is the case with many painters, Mednyánszky was particularly interested in death and addressed the theme in a great many sketches, studies, and finished pieces. 

His treatment of the subject ranges from the macabre to the mournful. Nevertheless, his depictions of these aspects do not appear to reflect his own views of death and seem instead to focus on the common emotions and beliefs people generally display or attribute to death.  At the risk of brandishing an unintended pun, I would say some of his paintings of corpses exude the tranquility of still life; others inspire a deep sadness, perhaps even dread. All the same, I do not believe Mednyánszky's personal interest in death as a subject centers upon a morbid fascination or grim loathing. On the contrary, I feel the Wandering Baron understood that death was a transition - one which revealed the possibility of resurrected life (as his study, Allegory of Death and New Life - see final image below - clearly shows).

Note: Mednyánszky was a master of light in his landscapes, so much so they could be referred to as lightscapes rather than landscapes. By contrast, the light in his death paintings is diffuse and drab. The appearance of any light beyond that must be 'revealed'. Also, note the dull browns and earth tones - the very opposite of the vivid, striking palates he employed in most of his landscapes. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
3 Comments
Luke
8/18/2020 14:31:46

If I ever get the opportunity to visit Europe again, I will be spending time in Budapest just for Mr. Mednyansyky's work. But if not, at least I've seen them here.

Reply
Francis Berger
8/18/2020 16:39:49

@ Luke - If you do manage to get to Europe in the future, I suggest visiting the Slovak National Gallery in Bratislava, which has considerably more Mednyánszky works than the Hungarian National gallery in Budapest does. Mednyánszky was born in the Kingdom of Hungary, which was considerably larger than modern Hungary is. Hence, the town where the Wandering Baron was born is a part of Slovakia today. In any case, I've included links for the two galleries.

I am happy to know others appreciate this artist. Discovering him has been a real high point in my life.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Paintings_by_L%C3%A1szl%C3%B3_Medny%C3%A1nszky_in_the_Hungarian_National_Gallery

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Paintings_by_L%C3%A1szl%C3%B3_Medny%C3%A1nszky_in_the_Slovak_National_Gallery

Reply
Luke
8/18/2020 21:31:56

Thanks for the advice!
His landscapes really are phenomenal, I've seen a fair amount of Hudson River Valley school stuff, and I like that style, but he is better. He is less photo realistic, but then his paintings are better as paintings.
What I think I mean is that HRV is beautiful, but none of the paintings I have seen move me to contemplation. While Mednyanszky does.


Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Blog and Comments

    Blog posts tend to be spontaneous, unpolished, first draft entries ranging from the insightful and periodically profound to the poorly-argued and occasionally disparaging.
     

    Comments are moderated. Anonymous comments are never published (please use your name or a pseudonym). 

    Emails welcome:

    f er en c ber g er (at) h otm   ail (dot) co m
    Blogs/Sites I Read
    Bruce Charlton's Notions
    Meeting the Masters
    From The Narrow Desert
    Synlogos ✞ Aggregator
    New World Island  
    New World Island YouTube
    ​Steeple Tea
    Berdyaev.com
    Adam Piggott
    Fourth Gospel Blog
    The Orthosphere
    Junior Ganymede

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012

    Picture
    A free PDF is also available in My Work. 
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.