The exhibition of one painting "Mihai Munkachi (1844-1900)" Christ before Pilate "II p. XIX century."

On December 19, an exhibition of one painting, “Mihai Munkachi (1844-1900)“ Christ Before Pilate, ”II p. XIX century, will begin to work in the Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts. "

Mihai Munkachi (1844-1900) is one of the most outstanding artists of the 19th century, the most famous Hungarian painter whose fame thundered from Europe to North America during his lifetime.

The artist was born into a Bavarian family in the Hungarian city of Munkach (modern Ukraine), his real name is Mihai Lieb. From the age of 11 he worked in his uncle’s carpentry workshop, later he was engaged in the production of prints of prints and illustrations for newspapers. Having acquired patrons in the artistic environment, Munkachi received professional education in Vienna, Munich and Düsseldorf. For many years he lived and worked in Paris, including in the Barbizon community. Having married in 1874 the Baroness Cecil Papier, the artist entered the circle of the European aristocracy, and the master’s paintings began to enjoy success with collectors. In the 1880-1890s. Munkachi achieved world fame, his works were exhibited in the cities of the Old and New Worlds, he became the highest paid artist in Europe. Since the 1890s Munchachi’s mental health began to deteriorate sharply, in 1897 the artist was taken to a psychiatric hospital, and three years later he died without regaining consciousness.

One of the most famous works of the master is the painting "Christ before Pilate."

Munkachi began to deal with the biblical theme in 1880, after becoming acquainted with the then popular work of E. Renan’s “The Life of Christ”. The plot of the picture is based on the 18th chapter of the Gospel of John. The central figures of the composition - standing with tied hands Christ and seated on a throne, Roman prefect Pilate. The main characters are represented with a certain degree of static, worthy of the blaming Jesus and the brooding prosecutor. The artist expressed all the tension and struggle through the rest of the characters surrounding them: high priests, warriors, ordinary Jews. The screaming, rampaging crowd, as it were, alludes to the impending tragedy - the crucifixion of Christ. Munkachi with great skill was able to convey the psychologism of the scene, facial expressions, gestures, poses and characters of the characters. All work seems to be permeated with an atmosphere of anxiety and drama.

The work exhibited in Paris in the mansion of a friend of Munkachi was a stunning success; thousands of visitors came to see it every day. Critics recognized the author as the greatest artist, putting him on a par with Michelangelo.

The presented copy is exhibited by the 175th birthday of M. Munkachi and gives museum visitors and art lovers the opportunity to learn about the work of this, unfortunately, not well-known artist in Russia.

The exhibition runs until January 14, 2020.