István Szönyi - Badende (2 prints)

Two very rare etchings are offered from a small edition by István Szönyi, one of the best-known Hungarian artists of the 20th century. The signature "Szönyi I." lower right confirms authorship.

Information about the artist: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istv%C3%A1n_Sz%C5%91nyi

The text under the figures reads:

SZÖNYI ISTVÁN
ESTATE MATERIALS (from the estate)
41/50" or 37/50"

It is a work from István Szönyi's estate materials with print edition number 41 from a small limited edition of 50 copies each. Sheet size 28.5 x 50 cm. Dimensions of the motifs are 9.5 x 8 cm and 6 x 4 cm.

The two images draw on scenes from the thematic complex 'BATHING'. The theme of bathing remains a part of Hungarian culture as a land of spas. In the period when the etchings were created in the 1910s, the motif of liberation from social constraints, with allusions to the Greek myth of Arcadia (Greek: Αρκαδία), also played a role in contemporary art. Arcadia refers to the idea of a pastoral idyll and a life in harmony with nature. In the sense of a poetic term, it stands for the notion and an idyllic vision of pristine nature as well as a reminder of the transience of human culture.

Szönyi was known for his ability to capture human emotions and movements in his works. This scene could have a mythological, historical, or allegorical meaning, which is typical for many of his works.

Significance of the estate

The estate of István Szönyi comprises a multitude of works, including paintings, drawings, and prints. Many of these works are today found in museums and collections in Hungary, particularly in the István Szönyi Memorial Museum in Zebegény.

Further information: https://szonyimuzeum.hu/