This spring, the prestigious Judit Virág Gallery will be holding two auctions, one after the other. First will be a post-war and contemporary painting sale at the Congress Center on 27 March, featuring artists such as István Nádler, Judit Reigl, Dóra Maurer and Ilona Keserü. The illustrious Szölke collection will also be under the hammer. The complete range can be viewed for free in person until 26 March at the gallery in Budapest's art and antiques hub of Falk Miksa utca.

One of the main attractions at the auction is the Szölke collection, which consists of works made in the 1980s and '90s. The artefacts are extremely diverse, including not just paintings but also sculptures, graphics and coins.

Look out, too, for Imre Bak's Painting II. considered a masterpiece in the Hungarian abstract genre. With a starting price of 30 million forints, this could break all previous records in Bak's oeuvre.

Dating from 1969, it was painted after the artist’s 1965 study trip to Western Europe, when he switched from using oil to acrylic paints.


After his return, Bak created works of international significance, reflecting on the Hungarian Constructivist tradition, folk art and the latest Western tendencies.

An auction of graphic works will then be held at the gallery on 28 March. The turn of the century is represented by the works of renowned painters such as László Mednyánszky, József Rippl-Rónai and János Vaszary. Works by Victor Vasarely and Anna Margit are also on sale.

Event information

You can see the complete collection by taking a virtual tour or by visiting the Judit Virág Gallery until 26 March.

1055 Budapest, Falk Miksa utca 30
Open: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-1pm 

Auctions: Post-War & Contemporary Sale Sunday 27 March, 6pm, Bartók Hall, Budapest Congress Center, 1123 Budapest, Jagelló út 1-3

Works On Paper Sale Monday 28 March, 6pm, Judit Virág Gallery (address above)

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