Hungarian art

This style remained important in Hungary from the 9th to the 11th centuries, and similar motifs can be found in the contemporary decorative arts of the Caucasus, Iran and Middle-Asia.

During this period the combination of styles originating in the steppes with those of the European Romanesque produced a rich heritage, with noticeable parallels in the art of the Scandinavian Vikings and the Celts of Western Europe.

Fine examples survive at Székesfehérvár, Gyulafehérvár, Esztergom, and Pannonhalma, while recently opened lapidariums at Pécs, Veszprém, and Eger display remains from this period.

King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary had close ties with Italy, and Italian influence is clearly evident in architectural complexes built during his reign, such as his palaces in Buda and in Visegrad.

This time was also a period of renewal for churches in an architectural sense, with inner spaces displaying fresh and delicate ornamentation, particularly in the use of plant forms.

Most of the early surviving buildings in Hungary today are in this style: not only churches, but also castles e.g. Fertőd, town halls (Szeged), monasteries (Zirc), cathedrals (Kalocsa), colleges (Eger) and the royal palace at Buda.

After the Age of Reform, in the early 19th century ancient Greek traditions were revived, with the consequent construction of such neo-Classical buildings as the Hungarian National Museum.

One of the greatest architects of his age was Ödön Lechner, who planned the Museum of Trade Art, The Hungarian Geological Institute, the town hall of Kecskemét, and the Saint Ladislaus Church at Kőbánya, Budapest.

The most characteristic decorative motif is the palmette style as on this sabretache plate.
Several Romanesque village churches in Hungary were constructed in rotunda form, as here at Nagytótlak.
The coronation mantle of Hungary from the time of King Stephen I of Hungary , reigned 1000-1038 A. D.
Tympani from Romanesque village churches in Medieval Hungary: Monoszló, Domokosfa, Halmágy and the arch of Csempeszkopács with the lamb of Szeged.
Romanesque village churches were often decorated with frescoes especially on the north wall, as here at Velemér.
An equestrian sculpture of Saint George, by the Kolozsvári brothers.
Detail of the mural of Saint Ladislaus in the church of Tereske, Northern Hungary.
A gold Florin of King Mátyás (Matthias).
A gold Florin of King Mátyás (Matthias).
A ceiling "cassette" with tulip motifs in a Hungarian village church
The fortress of Sárospatak: a keep with surrounding bailey; the baroque castle (upper right) is a much later addition.
The most prominent cathedral in the neo-classical style is the Basilica of Eger.
The building of the Hungarian Geological Institute, Budapest.