Art Culture in Budapest

Our Local Expert Says:

Fabulous central location, just steps from Gerbaud elegance.

Description:

This gallery specializes in exhibiting new and emerging work as well as pieces by established artists. All of the work is contemporary and the exhibitions change quite frequently. Photography and modern decorative sculpture is also displayed. This gallery is definitely worth a visit for serious art fans. Admission is free.

Our Local Expert Says:

Located on the Nagymezo utca, the Broadway of Budapest, this hipster hotspot museum is nestled among a series of chic cafes. Recommended.

Description:

This small gallery is the perfect place to find out what's happening in the world of contemporary art. The exhibition space is clean and simple, with few distractions, and the plain walls and floors set off the work well. Sculptures can also be found amongst the paintings and other contemporary projects. You may not like all of it, but there's bound to be something you will find fascinating. This is a great place to explore.

Our Local Expert Says:

Intriguing exhibitions housed in a magnificent Secessionist building!

Description:

The Museum of Applied Arts – opened in 1869 by Emperor Franz Joseph as part of the Millennium Celebrations – is housed in a spectacular Secessionist building covered in Hungarian Secessionism's signature colourful Zsolnay tiles designed by Lechner Ödön, incorporating oriental elements. Its collection, founded in 1872, is not the only reason to enter the magnificent building: its breathtakingly intricate interior design Secessionism is oh so famous for is an attraction within its own right, and is a must see for architecture enthusiasts.

It is the second museum of its kind in Europe, after the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and houses a vast collection of innovative handmade goods, all fine examples of arts and crafts workmanship. The exhibitions are almost all temporary, except for the permanent exhibition of Hungarian arts and crafts including clothes, furniture and other items of practical use. Of the temporary exhibitions, major ones change on a yearly basis, while smaller ones change monthly. Examples of the types of items on show in the temporary exhibitions can be seen at the main entrance.

Our Local Expert Says:

Worth visiting on Thursday evening, when this museum features extended hours, live jazz, and unique English language tours. An enormous building modeled upon an actual Greek temple, it boasts one of the finest collections of Egyptian art in existence.

Description:

Directly to the left of Heroes Square is the Fine Arts Museum (Szépművészeti Múzeum), completed in 1906. It is an eclectic-neoclassical style adorned with three Greek temples connected by colonnades between; each representative of different muses of culture and relaxation. The Fine Arts Museum contains international art; it has the largest Spanish collection outside of Spain. In addition, there are over 3,000 paintings, 10,000 drawings, and 100,000 prints within the 8 different collections.

Description:

To the right of Heroes Square, the impressive beauty of the Exhibition Hall (Múcsarnok) will most certainly capture your attention. Aside from the complementary architecture of the Fine Arts Museum, its most striking feature is the tympanum above the columns with a relief portraying the Temple of Zeus displaying a fight between Centaurs and Lapiths. The Exhibit Hall does not contain any permanent art collections, but is the venue for rotating contemporary exhibitions that are on display from weeks to months at a time. Signs posted on the outside will alert you to the current offering. However, just savoring the Exhibit Hall building as a piece of art unto itself is enough for some.

Description:

A large section of the royal palace is dedicated to this gallery. Almost the entire history of Hungarian art is on display here, with the earliest pieces dating back to the tenth century so there's a thousand years or so to work your way through. Viewing the inside of the castle is interesting in itself. Guided tours are also available.

Description:

The building itself has had a long and varied history. It was presented to the city as a gift in 1935. Today, it houses a wide-ranging and rather eclectic collection. The exterior of the building is in beautiful baroque style, while the interior has been renovated with tasteful simplicity and the emphasis has been placed on the exhibits. These range from an old printing press where you can get a personal copy of the revolutionary 'Arise Hungarians!' to more contemporary paintings and turn-of-the-century furniture displays.

Description:

The entire collection was a donation from Peter Ludwig (hence the name) in 1989. Once again, the setting of the museum is spectacular, situated as it is in one of the wings of the Castle. There are some big names on display although much of the work here is rather uninspired (Picasso's Matador and Nude is here, but it is a work that has attracted much derision). There is also a section devoted to Pop Art and a new collection of modern Hungarian work.

Description:

Imre Varga is Hungary's best-known contemporary sculptor. As you walk to the small museum, just off Óbuda's Fo tér, you will run into some ladies holding umbrellas regardless of the weather, one of his works on display outside. Inside the museum, a varied cross section of Varga's work will have you alternating smiles with winces At the back of the museum is a garden with more pieces; people are portrayed without embellished glory, while the museum's cats play in and out of the garden. For an example of the sculptor's work in a different public context, see the statue of Imre Nagy near Parliament. Have small currency ready; they rarely have change.

Description:

Few tourists are privy to this treasure or it falls from their radar. If Róth's work in the Parliament stimulated your senses, you will no doubt be again under his spell with the extensive collection of stained glass and mosaics for which he became famous. As the name implies, the Róth Miksa Memorial House is where the artist lived and had his studio. It may be difficult to locate, not being well marked. You will no doubt see other pieces of his work within the city such as the Queen of Hungary mosaic at Szervita square. His commissions were worldwide.