Stunning medieval altar to be unveiled at the National Gallery after 75 years of restoration

The longest restoration in recent history has come to a stunning conclusion. The work began in 1954, a decade after the Kisszeben altar had been taken apart and hidden during the bombing of Budapest. 

The 6.6-metre-wide main altar and the two side altars, also to be displayed at the National Gallery, were built during a post-fire reconstruction in Kisszeben, today Sabinov in Slovakia, and date back to 1496. The closed wings of this late Gothic work of art show an almost cartoon-like depiction of a believer and, in a festive state, the stages of the life of St John the Baptist on the plaques of the main altar.

This main altar also had a gable with several levels, but little survived, so only a small part could be authentically restored. The masterpiece was only shown to the general public in the late 19th century: the main altar and two most impressive wings were transported to Budapest in 1896 for the Hungarian millennial celebrations, first to the Museum of Applied Arts and later to the Museum of Fine Arts.

By the late 1990s, most of the sculptures and plaques had been restored, but the renovation of the entire piece has only now been completed. The painstaking restoration was carried out in stages, the structural elements of the altar assembled, and the necessary supporting steel frame designed.

Although several elements of the main altar were severely damaged over the centuries, many pieces survived in good condition, expert restorers creating gilding similar to the original parts. The altar’s final home will be the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses the pre-19th century part of the Hungarian collection, the rest held in conjunction with the National Gallery.

Hungarian National Gallery
District I. Szent György tér 2
Open: (until further notice) Wed 1pm-10pm, Thur-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm