Petrovics 150. Book Launch

Elek Petrovics (1873–1945), the legendary director of the Museum of Fine Arts, led the institution for twenty-one years, between 1914 and 1935. In honour of the 150th anniversary of his birth, the museum organized a commemorative conference in December 2023. KEMKI has published a volume containing an expanded and edited version of the lectures given at the conference. The book launch will be held on 6 November 2025.

The studies in the volume explore Elek Petrovics' versatile career as a museum director, collector, and art writer, as well as his decades-long friendships with prominent artists and art collectors. The volume includes nearly one hundred reproductions of art work acquired by Petrovics and a list of Elek Petrovics' publications.

Panel members:
Emőke Gréczi (editor-in-chief, Múzeumcafé)
Péter Molnos (art historian)
Ferenc Tóth (art historian, Museum of Fine Arts)
Károly Tóth (art historian, KEMKI)

Welcome speech by Dr. László Baán, General Director of the Museum of Fine Arts

Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Schickedanz-terem
Date: 6 November 2025, 5:00 PM

Authors: Eszter Békefi, Barbara Büki, Judit Galácz, Katalin Keserü, Anna Kopócsy, Péter Molnos, István Németh, Réka Pálinkás, Orsolya Radványi, Emese Révész, György Szücs, Károly Tóth, Ferenc Tóth, Júlia Vargyas

The volume was designed by Balázs Czeizel.

The book is available for purchase at the bookstore and at the webshop of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hungarian National Gallery.

Please note that audio and video recordings will be made at our events. These may be used by the Museum of Fine Arts – Central European Research Institute for Art History (KEMKI) on its website and social media platforms for the purpose of promoting our events. By participating in the event, you acknowledge and accept that you may appear in these recordings.