Charm and Grace

Book

Subjective dictionary-entry on a present

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Title: Geest en gratie – Charm and Grace

Origin: This phrase originates from the 17th century Dutch painter and essayist, Karel van Mandel and refers to the fact that an artistic creation is only good enough if both wit and grace can be found in it. This can be true in connection with a scholar as well if their oeuvre possesses wit – knowledge, wisdom, commitment to objects – and grace, namely brightness, tastefulness from practice to theory.

Status: The undertaking was labelled „Secret” for six months, although many knew about the preparations. Up to the birthday of the celebrated person the project was kept secret and in this age of information technology, this fact alone is a great achievement.

Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Hungary

Time: 2012

Type: Memorial book for a birthday. Its value therefore can hardly be estimated, since the makers of the book wanted to commemorate both the anniversary of the celebrated and her lifelong achievement.

Contents: 29 articles and essays connected to works-of-art of the museum, with diverse themes from the representatives of the golden age of Dutch painting to the relationship of Ostade and Cézanne.

Authors: Twelve foreign colleagues, who in the course of the years of working together got to know the efficiency, clear concepts, helpfulness and durability of the celebrated person, contributed with pleasure to the making of the book. 17 Hungarian museum professionals, who chose new research topics to celebrate the person and for more than a year were always ready to be of service in the cause of the book.

Supporters: The makers of the book are very grateful to the following persons for their financial support: art collector Prof. Dr. Alfred Bader, former general director of RKD Rudi Ekkart, and general director of the Museum of Fine Arts dr. László Baán.

Extent: 190 pages, 160 colour photos.

Available: at the library of the Museum of Fine Arts

And last but not least

The Celebrated Person: Dr. Ildikó Ember, leader of the Collection of Old Master Paintings, who can be proud of several anniversaries. She turned 70 in 2012, it has been 45 years since she started working at the museum and 20 years since she is head of the collection. Although at the end of last year she retired but as curator of the Rembrandt-exhibition planned for next year Ildikó Ember will continue to support the museum with all her experience knowledge. This fact gives hope to the editors of the memorial book that in a few years’ time a second volume could accompany the first one.