Abstracts of Submitted Papers 2013

A Hungarian American Collector and his Contribution to Hungarian Museums

Type of Abstract (select):

Abstract (max. 250 words):
Hungarian Americans contribution to American culture is remarkable in its abundance of scientific, philanthropic and artistic achievements. Some of them, like award winning scientist and collector, Laszlo Gyugyi created a remarkable 19th century Zsolnay collection, of which a great part was repatriated to Hungary. Dr. Gyugyi’s decision to sell back and gift half of his collection to the Zsolnay Museum in Pecs became a widely admired attraction of Pecs’ cultural district. This presentation unpacks how Mr. Gyugyi set out to build a collection of Zsolnay ceramic artworks, how he learned about available new pieces, acquired, and added them to his collection. The major theme of this investigation is how he became interested and decided to place part of his collection back into the factory where they were originally designed and made. Some of the most aesthetically-accomplished works will be presented during the lecture.




Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Susanna holds an MA from Roman Archaeology and History, an MLS from Rutgers, and currently a PhD Candidate at the School of Communication & Information at Rutgers. She has been working since 1978 as a subject bibliographer and reference librarian. Her publications are in the fields of Roman archaeology, museum studies and chat reference services. In 1998 she co-curated the Jozsef Domjan Retrospective Exhibition at the American Hungarian Foundation.

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The Collection: Past and Present Acquisitions. An Ongoing and Changing Exhibition.

Type of Abstract (select):

Abstract (max. 250 words):
Founded on December 28, 1954, the American Hungarian Foundation holds as its primary goal the nurturing of “understanding and appreciation of the Hungarian culture and historical heritage in the United States of America,” and serving as a bridge between Hungarian and American cultural traditions to enhance a better understanding of the contributions of each.

The Collection, Past and Present Acquisitions tells the story not only of Hungary, but also of American Hungarians through the display of fine art, sculptures, artifacts, textiles, folk art and photographs that have been acquired by the Foundation throughout the years. Over the course of the next year, it is our goal to display the majority of the Foundation’s collection so please be sure to visit our website or contact us from time to time as we substitute pieces on display with other pieces from our collection


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Lilla Szabó, art historian, was born in Bratislava. She received her degree in History of Art at the Hungarian Language and Literature faculty of the Eötvös Loránd University. She completed her doctorate at the ELTE's History of Art department in 1983; the topic of her dissertation was the medieval architectural history of the Saint Martin coronation church in Bratislava. She has worked at the Hungarian National Gallery since 1979. Since the nineties, her main area of interest has been the cultural relationships within the Central European region during the period between the two world wars and research into the lives and work of Hungarian artists who lived or are still active outside the borders of Hungary in the neighbouring countries and around the world. She publishes regularly, is the author of several monographs and has held many lectures and organised varied exhibitions both in Hungary and internationally. She has spent longer periods abroad completing research in Germany (1988), India (1995; 2003) and the USA (1997; 2009). Fulbright Grand research scholar (2011-2012, New Brunswick).

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