Komor and Jakab: Architects of the Târgu Mureş Palace of Culture

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Abstract (max. 250 words):
At the conclusion of the AHEA conference in Kolozsvár/Cluj in 2015, many of us participated in a memorable excursion around Transylvania. One of our stops was Marosvásárhely/Târgu Mureş. We were stunned by the beautiful Palace of Culture, replete with paintings and windows depicting Hungarian folk tales, intricately designed furniture, wall designs, chandeliers, and a gorgeous Art Nouveau exterior. Then we saw the nearby synagogue, designed by the same two collaborating architects. Who were they? They were Marcell Komor and Dezső Jakab, perhaps the proto-starchitects of their era, the early twentieth century, and among the most sought-after architects in contemporary Hungary. They collaborated for 23 years, leaving numerous award-winning buildings, both public and residential, in towns throughout the country. In this talk we will examine some of their masterpieces: the Black Eagle Palace in Nagyvárad/Oradea and the synagogue in Szadbadka/Subotica, a bank in Temesvár/Timişoara, a concert hall in Pozsony/Bratislava, the Erkel Theatre in Budapest, and several private villas, before devoting more attention to the Palace of Culture. The partners were students of Ödön Lechner, the creator of Hungarian Art Nouveau, later advocates (at times overcoming the resistance of their clients) and creative innovators in this style as well as savvy businessmen.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Beata Szpura is an artist and educator. She has worked in the field of illustration for thirty years, illustrating book covers for Farrar, Strauss and Giroux. Her work has appeared in major US newspapers and magazines such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. Her paintings in the media of watercolor and oil have exhibited in the US, Poland, and Ukraine. She teaches color theory and fashion drawing at Parsons, and drawing and painting at Queensboro Community College.