The Correspondence of József Rippl-Rónai
Primary source publications
The publication of the correspondence of József Rippl-Rónai (1861-1927) is a long-standing debt of Hungarian art history. This publication of great academic importance, long awaited by those interested in modern Hungarian art, is prepared by KEMKI ADK in collaboration with renowned Rippl-Rónai experts. Our aim is to compile an exhaustive collection and publish every letter ever written by and to Rippl-Rónai. Our estimate is about nine hundred letters in total. The manuscripts are to be published in accordance with the publication guidelines used in literary science, including notes providing the most important information, reproductions of the works referred to in the letters, and other printed or manuscript sources. Rippl-Rónai himself had thought of publishing his letters and was one of the first modern artists to consciously develop a brand image. Living in Paris, as a member of Nabis, the most important symbolist group of the time, he saw many examples of the forms and necessity of artistic self-management. He developed an extensive network of contacts abroad – especially in France – and at home. His correspondence faithfully reflects this, with letters addressed to or written by not only the most important representatives of the Hungarian art scene, but also many international figures. To mention just a few examples, Rippl-Rónai had correspondence with Endre Ady, Zsigmond Móricz, fellow painters Károly Ferenczy, János Vaszary, István Csók, Pierre Bonnard, Maurice Denis and the sculptor Aristide Maillol. In response to the new challenges of digital philology, the correspondence of József Rippl-Rónai will be made available in digital format (online) at first, on the website of KEMKI.
