Budapest’s major Zsolnay exhibition, featuring pieces from the world-famous Hungarian porcelain factory, is the latest addition to the cultural offerings of the City Park and its surroundings. What's more, it is housed in one of the capital’s most beautiful Art Nouveau villas, the ResoArt Villa. That means you can not only view unique Zsolnay pieces but also get a sneak peek at the interiors of a truly magnificent building.
Zsolnay Porcelain
The Hungarian Zsolnay Porcelain Manufacture is a symbol of the town of Pécs (in the South of Hungary) and a pride of the whole country. It carries a heritage that has survived two World Wars and became an important part of the international history of arts. The company has been producing handpainted porcelain, stoneware and ceramics since 1853. Its weather-resistant tiles and ornamentations can still be seen on many buildings throughout the country, such as on top of the Matthias Church in the Buda Castle.
A unique exhibition
Now, you don't have to travel to the South of Hungary to view an array of magnificent Zsolnay pieces on display. An exhibition opened in Budapest based on the unique collection of around 1,000 pieces by businessman and collector András Szabó. The impressive collection is presented to the public for the first time and is accompanied by exciting building tours, including a visit to the ResoArt Villa (once called Kőrössy Villa) and the House of the Hungarian Millennium.
ResoArt Villa
The ResoArt Villa, located close to the City Park (at the corner of Dózsa György út and Városligeti fasor), was purchased by András Szabó’s company, Resonator Kft., in the mid-nineties and then renovated in two phases, based on archival photographs. The reconstruction was awarded the Budapest Architectural Niveau Prize in 1999 and the Podmaniczky Prize in 2000. The building was used as an office until 2022, when András Szabó decided to move the most outstanding pieces of his unique art collection into the villa, creating the largest Zsolnay exhibition in the capital currently on display. The 1,000 pieces are all part of András Szabó’s private collection, which presents the success story of Zsolnay ceramics from the 1870s to the late 1920s.
Visiting the collection
UPDATE: To visit the exhibition, you need to sign up in advance. English-guided tours can be pre-booked here. On these visits, you will not only learn more about the history of the ResoArt villa and the House of the Hungarian Millennium but also explore the world of Art Nouveau.
