A Celebration of Art: Showcase of a Renowned Artist Couple’s Work
The Liszt Fest International Cultural Festival commenced with the inauguration of the exhibition “The Galimberti” at the Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest. During the opening ceremony, the State Secretary for Culture expressed that the artistic diversity of the Liszt Fest positions it as a leading international cultural festival.
The exhibition showcases the work of two significant figures in twentieth-century Hungarian art, Sándor Galimberti (1883-1915) and Valéria Dénes (1877-1915), who were a renowned artist couple. The collaboration between the Hungarian National Gallery and Müpa Budapest brought forth this exhibition. State Secretary Magdolna Závogyán highlighted the participation of the National Gallery, the Ludwig Museum, and the Museum of Ethnography in providing captivating and distinctive programs for art enthusiasts during the Liszt Fest.
Csaba Káel, General Director of Müpa Budapest, emphasized the festival’s aim to bring the essence, creations, and philosophies of globally recognized 19th-century artists, who integrated various artistic disciplines, to present-day audiences.
Initiated in 2021, on the 210th anniversary of Franz Liszt’s birth, the Liszt Fest International Cultural Festival presents premier artists and the latest productions from the Hungarian and international cultural scene. The festival’s offerings include grand concerts, classical and contemporary chamber music performances, dance presentations, literary and visual art exhibitions, and open-air shows at numerous locations in Budapest.
Zsolt Petrányi, Deputy Director General for Research at the Museum of Fine Arts – Hungarian National Gallery, mentioned that the ongoing exhibition will unveil a research project illustrating the journeys of the two artists within a personal and familial context. He added that the exhibition offers insight into how different artistic influences shaped the creative processes of the couple.
The exhibition emphasizes the paintings of Luigi Galimberti, the artist’s father, Mária Lanov, the artist’s first wife, and notably, the works of Sándor Galimberti and his second wife Valéria Dénes. With a total of 85 paintings, prints, and various documents on display, the exhibition provides a comprehensive view of the artistic legacy of the Galimberti family.
While the Galimberti family left limited archival material behind, the exhibition presents the most significant pieces available. Notably, the showcase includes letters penned by Valéria Dénes, published entirely for the first time in the exhibition’s detailed 370-page catalog, serving as a comprehensive Galimberti–Dénes monograph accessible in both Hungarian and English.
The majority of the exhibited works are sourced from public collections, supplemented by a substantial collection from private collectors. The exhibition will remain open for visitors until January 26, 2025, allowing art enthusiasts ample time to explore the diverse artistic offerings.
In addition, a related article featured an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts guiding visitors through Ancient Mesopotamia, offering a glimpse into the lost culture through loaned artifacts.
The Liszt Fest International Cultural Festival and “The Galimberti” exhibition at the Hungarian National Gallery provide a rich cultural experience for visitors, celebrating the artistic heritage of Hungary and the global artistic landscape.
Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Zoltán Kocsis
