By opening the gallery I commemorate Eszter Mattioni, one of the most relevant Hungarian painters of the 20th century. Her “stone embroideries” - as she called them - can be found in many cities of the country. It was my privilege and honour to attend the opening event of the exhibition dedicated to her oeuvre at Szekszárd where her works can be seen up to today in the County Hall.

With reverence, Demeter Balla

Eszter Mattioni was born in Szekszárd, Southern Hungary in 1902. For five years she attended the Applied Arts Vocational School, then continued her studies for six years at the College of Fine Arts as a student of Gyula Rudnay. From 1926 onwards her works were regularly featured at various exhibitions: a number of her works are highly prized acquisitions of fine arts museums both in Hungary and abroad as well. For example, her painting titled “Peasant Bride” was acquired by the Louvre and exhibited in the aisle of the Musée du Luxembourg as early as 1937. A number of her major works can be found in Hungarian National Gallery, others are public property of her hometown, Szekszárd. Between 1931 and 1942 she worked together with the Szolnok City group of artists and was elected Honorary Life Member in 1940. In 1946 she became Member of the prestigious Pál Szinyei Merse Society embracing the most prominent painters of Hungary. Her international vista and reputation was broadened by her study trips to Italy in 1935 and to the Scandinavian countries in 1939.

Reproductions of the works of art taken by Demeter Balla.

Entrance to the exhibition