Caricatures by Henrik Major – exhibition

“The one who’s  making it thinks that it is good, but the one looking at it hates it!” This is the title of our exhibition selecting from the oeuvre of world-famous caricaturist and painter Henrik Major, opening on June 20.

The exhibition opening in National Széchényi Library will show you the versatility of Major, the caricaturist. The artist, whose drawings abounded in up-to-the-point lines, “worded” reality in a most versatile fashion, while he worked as a newspaper caricaturist, a book illustrator or a graphic artist designing posters. NSZL’s exhibition is focusing on the Panopticon of Henrik Major (1913), which is considered to be the artist’s major work in Hungary and which truly reflects Major’s art. The Panopticon presented the most important literary personalities of the turn of the century. Caricatures included in the volume feature the characteristics of master caricature. Borrowing the words of Károly Lyka, the famous Hungarian art historian of the early 20th century, Henrik Major’s caricatures are “fresh”, carry “sudden ideas and improvisation on the heat of the moment, and show apposite flashes”. Major’s caricatures are highly rich and intense, one might say. And although caricatures represent the art of the here and now, the imprint of the society of a given age, they also allow us to look into the eternal human, into the world of emotions and instincts.

As part of the exhibition, you can also have a look at the series of caricatures depicting US film stars included in Henrik Major’s album entitled “Hollywood”. On the Night of Museums 2015, our playful visitors, who wish to have some fun, can get help and try themselves at caricature drawing.

We wish you a pleasant stay and a real good time!

Venue: National Széchényi Library, Buda Castle, Building “F”, Floor 6, Corridor next to the Manuscript Collection, H-1014, Budapest
The exhibition will be open between June 20 and July 11, 2015, Tuesday to Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and on Saturdays, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Visitors who do not own a Reader Pass to NSZL can have a look at our temporary chamber exhibitions for a flat fee of HUF 400.