Experience the Tihanyi Lajos Retrospective at the Hungarian National Gallery
A Celebration of a Hungarian Master’s 140th Birthday
From November 21, 2025, until February 15, 2026, art lovers visiting Budapest can immerse themselves in a grand retrospective dedicated to the life and work of Tihanyi Lajos, one of Hungary’s foremost painters. Marking the 140th anniversary of his birth and the 50th anniversary of his artistic legacy returning to Hungary, this exhibition at the Hungarian National Gallery showcases nearly 200 works including oil paintings, graphics, archival photographs, and personal artifacts.
Discover the Artist and His Journey
Tihanyi Lajos’s story is one of resilience and profound creativity. Despite losing his hearing due to meningitis at age eleven, he developed a unique visual language that defined Hungarian expressionism and avant-garde art. Overcoming these challenges, he mastered several languages through reading and forged an individual artistic style influenced by the cultural currents of his time.
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Highlights of the Exhibition
The exhibition traces Tihanyi’s evolving artistic phases:
- Early landscapes and still lifes from his time in Nagybánya and Budapest, reflecting post-impressionist and fauvist influences.
- Portraits and experimental works created during his stays in Vienna and Berlin, where cubism, constructivism, and expressionism shaped his art.
- Periods spent in Paris, where he connected with prominent artists and photographers like André Kertész and Brassaï, and developed bold, colorful abstract works in his final years.
Visitors will also see rare photographs and personal items revealing insights into his life and friendships, including his close ties to Hungarian intellectuals such as the poet Ady Endre.
Practical Information
- Venue: Hungarian National Gallery, Ground Floor, Temporary Exhibition Space
- Dates: November 21, 2025 – February 15, 2026
- Tickets: Available online and at the gallery
This extensive retrospective presents the full breadth of Tihanyi Lajos’s contribution to modern Hungarian art, offering visitors a unique chance to explore his powerful, innovative works in a chronological journey through a fascinating artistic life. Whether you are an art enthusiast or a curious traveler, this exhibition is a must-see cultural experience in Budapest this winter season.