Exhibition open: January, 17. – March, 29. 2020.
District: VI., 12. Városliget fasor 12.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tickets on the spot.
Been to György Ráth Villa Museum? Worthwhile not only art lovers by locals and/or tourists, foreigners staying Hungary.
Officially open exhibition @ Budapest on Antonio Tempesta – precious and rare – Lapis Lazuli stone of Old Testament painting cannot be seen anywhere else in the World.
An Antonio Tempesta was rediscovered in the collection of the Museum of Applied Arts – Budapest at the storage parcel on the basement level whilst the buildings was going through an enormous renovation. The paintings were absolutely unknown when found with severely damaged and some pieces were also missing. Took several years for the restoration of the paintings. Also required research and coordinated efforts with experimental restorers. Thanks to the high level of knowledge by the restorers painstaking and subtle work the Tempesta’s marvelous handwork can be from no on viewed at the György Ráth Villa in fully return original paintings experience.
Antonio Tempesta’s two-side painting in this exhibition is an exceptional work of art in many respects.
The color of a marvelous shades in blue magnified Antonio Tempesta who was born in Florence and active painter in Rome in the early decades in the 17th century. His works were ordered and prepared for aristocratic patrons. Tempesta painted on various types of stones, bringing life without boundaries to figures and venues with its original color of the stone, showing the perfect collaboration between nature and art.
While most paintings are done on canvas or wood panels, Tempesta used a semi-precious stone, lapis lazuli to his painting. This rare stone was imported from Afghanistan, the only known location of such deposits in the 17th century. Both sides of this thin, unbelievable 1-millimeter thick translucent slab presents scenes on both side from the Old Testament. The images are not just paintings, but from the multicolor stone forming an intergral part of the depictions. The frame itself with its mother-of-pearls inlays, is also unusual of its complicated, contrived image field.
The stone’s name Lapis Lazuli comes from Latin word „lapis” meaning „stone” and the Persian lazhward meaning „blue” It is one of the most sought after stones in use since man’s history began.
Only three of Lapis Lazuli stones survived around the world throughout the centuries. One of the Tempesta’s works can be viewed at the György Ráth Villa – Budapest and are housed in the Louvre – Paris and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
Certainly recommend this wonderful place to visit by art lovers, once home to a wealthy family, and today a gem of a museum in Budapest. The exhibition rolls back in the past under the spell of the magnificent objects.
Whilst walking in-and-around the corridors and rooms can see besides Tempesta’s painting a couple of goldsmith works out on display. These magnificent artistic works are examples how the fusion of an object brought together with nature. The goldsmith works are from the former collection of Miklós Jankovich, a renowned Hungarian art collector of the early 19th century.
Mind you, there are no guided tours, yet there is a booklet on the front desk that summaries the story of the villa.
Take your time to see, learn about the background of entire collection whilst enjoy stepping into every room of the villa unique piece of furniture and decor. A very unique and special museum!
Update and snaps © Aggie Reiter
Rolling in Budapest 