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JÁNOSSY Ferenc
JÁNOSSY, Ferenc
The artist was born in Budapest on September 13 1926.
He attended Gallé Tibor’s school of art from the age of 16 and he visited Nagybánya artists' settlement with fellow students. Between 1945 and 1950 he went to the Academy of Fine Arts, where Szőnyi István, Kmetty János and Fónyi Géza were his masters. He took part in the exhibitions of the European School movement in 1946 and 1948. From 1951 he founded a group of artists named The Coach and Four with Orosz Gellért, Nuridsány Zoltán and Sugár Gyula. Later several other artists – like Bod László, Bornemissza Géza, Megyeri Barna- joined the group. Many of his friends were writers, poets and musicians. In 1956 he and his wife left Hungary , spending some time in a refugee camp near Genoa. Soon afterwards he settled in Basle where he lived between 1957 and 1963. While there he qualified as an art teacher. During his time in Western Europe he visited Venice, Rome, Paris and Madrid. He had exhibitions in Basle, Zurich, Geneva, Freidorf and Lucerne.
However, poor health and a longing to return to Hungary brought him back six years later. When he returned he found life very difficult. He succeeded in organising a few small exhibitions. Meantime the state trading company sold his pictures – mainly landscapes – which gave him barely enough to live on. From 1965, suffering from nervous complaints, he went for treatment in Balassagyarmat where he finally settled and he spent the last 15 years of his life. He painted throughout this time, even as a hospital patient. The paintings and drawings of this period are shocking. He painted a lot of portraits of his fellow inmates and doctors in expressionist style The colours and tones of these works, embracing quick brush work, represent his volatile moods. He discovered the scenery of Nógrád county, finding themes in Balassagyarmat, Szécsény and Hollókő. In 1972, 1974, 1979 he had exhibitions at the Horváth Endre Gallery, which also showed his work posthumously in 1997. He frequently exhibited at the Salgótarján spring shows. His work was reviewed in publications like The Art, the Palócföld periodicals and the Nógrád daily newspaper.
His work is found in the Hungarian National Gallery, in the Kunstmuseum of Basle, in the Hermann Ottó Museum of Miskolc, in the Deák Dénes Collection of Székesfehérvár, in the Gallery of Balassagyarmat and in the Nógrád Historical Museum of Salgótarján.
His early involvement in surrealism led to a post-impressionism which was hardly tolerated in the 1950s, he found his real self in Switzerland. Symbolic content is transmitted brilliantly by his expressive style. He created abstract works as well, but the was principally a figurative painter. In some of his landscapes he turned back to the traditions of Nagybanya. Many of his friends and acquaintances retain strong memories of his stormy life.
The organisers hope that this exhibition provides an opportunity for younger generations, as well as those who knew him, to experience the eternal values of his art and to relive through his paintings a life of struggle.
The artist was born in Budapest on September 13 1926.
He attended Gallé Tibor’s school of art from the age of 16 and he visited Nagybánya artists' settlement with fellow students. Between 1945 and 1950 he went to the Academy of Fine Arts, where Szőnyi István, Kmetty János and Fónyi Géza were his masters. He took part in the exhibitions of the European School movement in 1946 and 1948. From 1951 he founded a group of artists named The Coach and Four with Orosz Gellért, Nuridsány Zoltán and Sugár Gyula. Later several other artists – like Bod László, Bornemissza Géza, Megyeri Barna- joined the group. Many of his friends were writers, poets and musicians. In 1956 he and his wife left Hungary , spending some time in a refugee camp near Genoa. Soon afterwards he settled in Basle where he lived between 1957 and 1963. While there he qualified as an art teacher. During his time in Western Europe he visited Venice, Rome, Paris and Madrid. He had exhibitions in Basle, Zurich, Geneva, Freidorf and Lucerne.
However, poor health and a longing to return to Hungary brought him back six years later. When he returned he found life very difficult. He succeeded in organising a few small exhibitions. Meantime the state trading company sold his pictures – mainly landscapes – which gave him barely enough to live on. From 1965, suffering from nervous complaints, he went for treatment in Balassagyarmat where he finally settled and he spent the last 15 years of his life. He painted throughout this time, even as a hospital patient. The paintings and drawings of this period are shocking. He painted a lot of portraits of his fellow inmates and doctors in expressionist style The colours and tones of these works, embracing quick brush work, represent his volatile moods. He discovered the scenery of Nógrád county, finding themes in Balassagyarmat, Szécsény and Hollókő. In 1972, 1974, 1979 he had exhibitions at the Horváth Endre Gallery, which also showed his work posthumously in 1997. He frequently exhibited at the Salgótarján spring shows. His work was reviewed in publications like The Art, the Palócföld periodicals and the Nógrád daily newspaper.
His work is found in the Hungarian National Gallery, in the Kunstmuseum of Basle, in the Hermann Ottó Museum of Miskolc, in the Deák Dénes Collection of Székesfehérvár, in the Gallery of Balassagyarmat and in the Nógrád Historical Museum of Salgótarján.
His early involvement in surrealism led to a post-impressionism which was hardly tolerated in the 1950s, he found his real self in Switzerland. Symbolic content is transmitted brilliantly by his expressive style. He created abstract works as well, but the was principally a figurative painter. In some of his landscapes he turned back to the traditions of Nagybanya. Many of his friends and acquaintances retain strong memories of his stormy life.
The organisers hope that this exhibition provides an opportunity for younger generations, as well as those who knew him, to experience the eternal values of his art and to relive through his paintings a life of struggle.
