Jenő Barcsay, the Mysterious Artist
In 2025, we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the birth of painter Jenő Barcsay (1900–1988). This year-long program series will commemorate the artist with exhibitions, conferences, book launches, artist residencies, and various other events. The events are organized jointly by the Hungarian University of Fine Arts, the Ferenczy Museum Center in Szentendre, the Jenő Barcsay Fine Arts Foundation, and Barcsay’s legal heirs, Ferenc Kónya and Márta Kónya, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation.
January 14, 2025
14:00
Wreath-laying ceremony at Jenő Barcsay’s grave in Fiumei Cemetery
(1086 Budapest, Fiumei út 16–18.)
17:00
Hommage à Jenő Barcsay – Opening of the exhibition featuring submissions for the 2025 Barcsay Student Sculpture Competition, presentation of the winning entries, and award ceremony.
Exhibition dates: January 15–28, 2025
Location: Hungarian University of Fine Arts, Barcsay Hall
(1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 69–71.)
An exhibition showcasing the works submitted for a sculpture competition organized by the Department of Sculpture in honor of the Barcsay Memorial Year.
Curators: Art historian Tekla Uszkay; Dr. Botond Polgár, associate professor and head of the Department of Sculpture at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts.
Opening speeches and welcome remarks by:
• Prof. Dr. István Erős, Rector of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts
• Dr. Eszter Vitályos, State Secretary for Government Communications
• Anna Borbély-Tardy, Director of the Ferenczy Museum Center
Presentation of the 2024 Barcsay Award winners and award ceremony
Awards presented by:
• Anna Borbély-Tardy, Director of the Ferenczy Museum Center
• Balázs Feledy, art writer and critic
• Ferenc Kónya, Barcsay’s legal heir and co-founder of the Jenő Barcsay Fine Arts Foundation
January 30, 2025 – 17:00
Opening of the exhibition featuring Barcsay Award winners in Szentendre
Location: Karnevál Café & Gastro Bar
(2000 Szentendre, Fő tér 20.)
February 6, 2025 – 18:30
Opening of the exhibition featuring winners of the Jenő Barcsay Study Scholarship Competition
Exhibition dates: February 7–20, 2025
Location: Hungarian University of Fine Arts, Barcsay Hall
(1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 69–71.)
February 2025
Inauguration of a commemorative plaque marking the 2018 relocation and reinstallation of Jenő Barcsay’s 1974 mosaic pair Space Rhythm I and Space Rhythm II.
Location: Csillaghegy Árpád Spring Bath
(1038 Budapest, Pusztakúti út 3.)
March 2025
Joint book launch for:
• Figuration – Abstraction – Geometry. Studies for the 125th Anniversary of the Birth of Jenő Barcsay, published in both English and Hungarian
• New, revised editions of Barcsay’s works Human Figure and Drapery and Form and Space
Location: Hungarian University of Fine Arts, Council Hall
(1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 69–71.)
April 2, 2025
• Unveiling of a commemorative plaque on Jenő Barcsay’s former house in Szentendre, Zenta Street, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at his statue in Barcsay Square
Location: 2000 Szentendre, Zenta utca 5 & Barcsay Jenő tér
• 50th Anniversary of HBPMK – Conference in honor of architect Miklós Hofer
Location: Hamvas Béla Pest County Library (HBPMK)
(2000 Szentendre, Pátriárka utca 7.)
• Unveiling of an information plaque for Jenő Barcsay’s mosaic in Szentendre
Location: HBPMK
(2000 Szentendre, Pátriárka utca 7.)
April 2025
Inauguration of a bronze bust of Jenő Barcsay in his birthplace, Katona, Transylvania.
The portrait sculpture is created by Hungarian University of Fine Arts student Dániel Tyurin.
May 28, 2025 – 18:30
Opening of the exhibition Close-ups 2. The Figure of Jenő Barcsay Reflected in 1960s–1980s Portrait Photography
Exhibition dates: May 28 – September 21, 2025
A chamber exhibition revisiting Barcsay’s iconic figure through the lens of prominent portrait photographers of the 1960s–1980s.
Location: Ferenczy Museum Center – Ferenczy Museum, Szentendre Hall
(2000 Szentendre, Kossuth Lajos utca 5.)
Featured photographers:
Demeter Balla, Sándor Bojár, Zoltán György Fejér, Tamás Féner, Zsuzsa G. Fábri, Károly Gink, Éva Keleti, István Kollár, Edit Molnár, Géza Szebellédy, Mária Sziklás, István Tóth
Curator: Noémi Szabó, art historian, curator at Ferenczy Museum Center
June 21, 2025 – 18:00
Night of Museums
Artworks and Stories | BARCSAY 125 – Exhibition Opening and Catalog Launch
Location: Kmetty Museum
(2000 Szentendre, Fő tér 21.)
A newly arranged permanent exhibition of Jenő Barcsay’s works and the launch of the critical catalog of the Barcsay collection housed at the Ferenczy Museum Center.
Curators and Professional Coordination:
• Noémi Szabó, art historian, curator at the Ferenczy Museum Center
• Zsuzsa Iberhalt, art historian, curator at the Ferenczy Museum Center
July 7–20, 2025
NESTArt – Szentendre Summer Art Base in Honor of Jenő Barcsay
Location: Ferenczy Museum Center – MűvészetMalom
(2000 Szentendre, Bogdányi út 32.)
Organizer: Zsuzsa Iberhalt, art historian, curator at the Ferenczy Museum Center
The Ferenczy Museum Center invites six young visual artists to participate in a two-week summer art residency, culminating in an exhibition showcasing the works created during the program.
July 19, 2025 – 17:00
Opening of the NESTArt Exhibition
Exhibition Dates: July 20 – August 31, 2025
Location: MűvészetMalom, 2000 Szentendre, Bogdányi út 32.
July 16, 2025 – 18:00
Perfect Balance – Cross-Section: A New Perspective on Jenő Barcsay’s Oeuvre (Exhibition Opening)
Exhibition Dates: July 15 – September 30, 2025
Location: Hungarian University of Fine Arts, Barcsay Hall
(1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 69–71.)
Curators:
• Dr. Anikó Bojtos, art historian, assistant professor at the Department of Art History, Hungarian University of Fine Arts
• Dr. János Sturcz, art historian, lecturer at the Department of Art History, Hungarian University of Fine Arts
• Noémi Szabó, art historian, curator at the Ferenczy Museum Center
Early September 2025
Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Reformed College of Aiud (Nagyenyed)
September 22–23, 2025 | 10:00–16:00
Barcsay 125 Conference
Locations:
• Hungarian University of Fine Arts
(1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 69–71.)
• Ferenczy Museum Center – MűvészetMalom, Conference Hall
(2000 Szentendre, Bogdányi út 32.)
Contact:
info@muzeumicentrum.hu
Further updates and information about the Barcsay 125 Memorial Year will be continuously expanded and refreshed on our website.
Photo: István Tóth
