Hungary has a centuries-old reputation for its citizens’ creativity and genius, which has led to masterpieces that are known throughout the world. Name any discipline and you’ll surely find a Hungarian masterpiece and artist in the elite league.
The “Shoe Memorial” on the Pest shore of the Danube, close to the Parliament, is a solemn reminder of a dark chapter of Hungary’s history. It commemorates innocent Jews who were executed and shot into the river during World War II. The pure concept of the empty shoes signifying what is now gone is staggering.
Strangely enough the novel called “Sorstalanság” (“Fateless” or “Fatelessness” in English, depending on the translation) by Imre Kertész became more famous internationally before it was widely recognized in Hungary. It is a semi-autobiographical story about a 14-year-old Hungarian Jew’s experiences in Auschwitz and Buchenwald, for which Kertész won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2002.
The 19th and 20th centuries in Hungary produced some of the best paintings that are, to this day, sold at auction for fortunes worldwide. Mihály Munkácsy stands out, having earned international fame by recreating scenes from peasant life, picturing weatherworn landscapes and oversized Biblical displays. His works are on display throughout the world, but perhaps most emblematic is “The Settlement of the Magyars in Hungary”, which adorns a room in Parliament bearing his name.
Another great artist of this age is Pál Szinyei Merse. With his effervescent illustrations of the bright outdoors and the use of intense colors, he epitomizes the so-called “plein air” movement. One of his best-known pieces is “Picnic in May”.
Lánchíd, or the Chain Bridge is the most notable legacy of one of the country’s greatest historic figures, István Széchenyi. A wealthy man, Széchenyi dedicated much of his efforts and fortune to the betterment of the country, which is why he backed the creation of what is now one of Budapest’s most iconic structures, truly a work of art that has withstood a troubled history of war and hardships.
Composer, virtuoso pianist and conductor Franz Liszt (known to Hungarians as Liszt Ferenc) has made a lasting impression throughout the world. To illustrate his significance, the Academy of Music bears his name, as does Budapest’s international airport. Perhaps the most significant body of his work is the “Hungarian Rhapsody” cycle he created over the course of his life. Liszt is just one of the great musical minds who have an indisputable place in history. Just think of the great ethnographer and composer Zoltán Kodály who had an immeasurable role in teaching music to many great talents. Of course, there is also Béla Bartók, whose unique approach to melody and composition is to this day a delight for musical connoisseurs.
Director István Szabó was a true pioneer of Hungarian filmmaking. His 1981 masterpiece “Mephisto” was the first Hungarian movie to win an Oscar. The film adapts the story of Mephistopheles and Doctor Faustus by having the main character, Hendrik Höfgen, abandon his conscience, continue to act and ingratiate himself with the Nazi Party, to keep and improve his job and social position.
With “Son of Saul”, director László Nemes joined the elite but populous rank of Hungarian filmmakers. The film, set in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II, follows a day-and-a-half in the life of Saul Ausländer. After several other international honors, “Son of Saul” won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2016 at the 88th Academy Awards.
“Gloomy Sunday” by Rezső Seress is probably the Hungarian song that has been covered by most international music starts, including the likes of Billie Holiday, Sarah McLachlan and Elvis Costello. A deeply sad and even suicidal song, it is no wonder that it has made such a resounding impact among artists worldwide over the years.
Victor Vasarely was a Hungarian-French artist who is widely accepted as a founding figure and leader of the short-lived “op art” movement. His work entitled “Zebra”, created in the 1930s, is considered by some to be one of the earliest examples of this genre. Visual innovation can’t be discussed without mentioning Robert Capa. A Hungarian war photographer and photojournalist, he is arguably the greatest, and almost certainly the best known, combat and adventure photographer in history.