When you visit Békéscsaba, you will quickly notice that the spirit of Mihály Munkácsy permeates the town and its every corner. Statues, memorial plaques, inscriptions and a painted tulip chest all pay homage to the artist’s greatness, but there is also a museum and a memorial house named after the world-famous painter.
Who was Mihály Munkácsy?
Mihály Munkácsy was born on 20 February 1844. At the age of eight, as an orphaned boy, he came to Békéscsaba, where he worked as a joiner’s apprentice and learned the basics of painting. His talent paved the way for him to become one of the outstanding figures of 19th century Hungarian painting. His most famous works include The Yawning Apprentice, The Woman Carrying Faggot and, last but not least, the Christ Trilogy.