December 2020

 
 Our trip in Hungary is soon coming to an end and we'll be returning to the U.S.   I was hoping that before my return to the states, I will be able to paint some snow covered landscape, however, unfortunately we did not get any snow.   Not only didn't get any snow but we also had several weeks of chilly, misty, rainy, and overcast weather. It is rather tricky to get inspired to paint in this type of environment. Nevertheless, I managed to paint a number of still life and plein air pieces.
 You might be in similar shoes this time of the year,  and have a hard time to get motivated to start a painting.  I thought I would share what works most of  the time, what helps me to get out of the rut.   
 The simplest way for me to get inspired is to take out some art books or magazines and find a number of master works, to see what's possible with art and painting . Alternatively, browsing the internet for master paintings and study them closely can be very inspiring, as well. Of course visiting a museum would be the ultimate way of seeing and closely studying these works, but I know it is not always possible, especially in our present times.
Besides getting motivated to paint, these works can also be a great way to learn.   You might also find solutions to certain problems you encounter in your painting, that another artist already have solved. Lastly, seeing the works of master artists, always helps me to realize how much more there is to learn and that I should never settle for good enough.
 I encourage you to give it a try and see if this “method” helps you too. 

 One of those masters, whose work inspires me endlessly, is a Hungarian artist named Gyula Benczur.   I chose him for my “Artist Spotlight” article for this month. I had the good fortune to see several of his work in person this January, at the National Gallery in Budapest. Many of his paintings are incredible in size, yet they are absolute master pieces to the last detail.   

 Next year, I will reduce the number of my newsletters, and I will write bi-monthly. I hope you will continue to read and enjoy them. If you have any suggestions please, feel free to contact me. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Viktoria
  

 Gyula Benczúr (28 January 1844, Nyíregyháza – 16 July 1920, Szécsény) was a Hungarian painter and art teacher. He specialized in portraits and historical scenes.   He began his studies in 1861 with Hermann Anschutz and Johann Georg Hiltensperger (1806–1890). From 1865 to 1869, he studied with Karl von Piloty.  

 He achieved international success in 1870 when he won the Hungarian national competition for historical painting with his depiction of King Stephen's baptism. He then assisted Piloty with the frescoes at the Maximilianeumand the Rathausin Munich and illustrated books by the great German writer, Friedrich Schiller. King Ludwig II of Bavaria gave him several commissions.  

 He was named a Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, in 1875. Soon after, he built a home in Ambach on Lake Starnberg; designed by his brother Béla. In 1883, he returned to Hungary, where he continued to be an art teacher. One of his most distinguished pupils was the Swiss-born American painter Adolfo Müller-Ury. 

Benczúr was later a favorite among the Hungarian upper-class, painting numerous portraits of kings and aristocrats. He also created some religious works; notably altarpieces for St. Stephen's Basilica and Buda Castle.   He was an honorary member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Streets have been named after him in Balassagyarmat, Balatonkenese, Berettyóújfalu, Bonyhád, Budapest, Debrecen, Jászberény, Komló, Pécs, Szabadszállás, Szeged and Košice. His daughters Olga (1875–1962) and Ida (1876–1970) also became well-known artists.   

Credit: Wikipedia