Etelka Edvi-Illés Karády: Budapest flowers

Etelka Karády 

(Beodra 1877 - 1969 Budapest)

Hungarian painter and graphic artist 

Of course I'd never heard of Etelka Karády or, as she is also known: Etelka Edvi-Illés Alladárne ("the wife of") or with her signature "ösw. Edvi Illés Alardáne" (ösw. meaning widdow of) 

Aladár Edvi-Illés

(Pest 1870 - 1958 Budapest)

Hungarian painter and graphic artist

This wonderful aquatint etching was once framed at Amsterdam Kalverstraat gallery "Pieter Breughel". Following the signature it will have been created after 1958 finding its way to the Netherlands. I have no idea who was its first owner But like to think he, ehe or they fell in love finding it in the posh Amsterdam gallery as I did in a nearby junk-shop window. The choice and marriage between picture and frame was obviously very carefully discussed and decided, and the combination will have served someone a life-time no doubt enjoying its delicate colours and composition every day. 

Its delicacy reminds me of the flowers, presented as a fare-well by his visiting  for the last time friends that Manet painted on his deathbed.

I could not help associating Aladárs portrait with Catwaezle, the illustrious medieval sorceror placed in our times whoms adventures were broadcasted on TV in 1970. 

I suppose (last of) the previous owner(s) probably left this world recently, descendants or estate executioners with modern Ikea taste eventually called in the house-clearers to empty the house or apartment of the things "nobody wanted". On its way to the second hand shop the frame, with gold-foil lining was bashed and broken but the paper undamaged. After carefully repairing the frame, cleaning window and re-assembling the bouquet will now serve and again give joy and colour. Until a next generation of house clearers move in..... or some-one wants to trade or swap it.   

I found not many other examples of Etelka's work, but her husband, recognised as an important Hungarian artist, happened to be a fine landscape and cowpainter in the best tradition of the best golden age Dutch-Masters, but also a very good etcher (above) and drawer. Here are some of the best examples of his skills. Googling you'll find many others.  

                 

Il like this simple but very effective drawing of a tidal landscape very much. It is known Aladár travelled to Germany and the Netherlands (in 1905) and, comparing it with this photo of a very similar tidal creek taken a century later , I would not be surprised he even may have visited my province.  

All pictures borrowed freely from the Internet for friendly, educational and non commercial use only.