The Hungarian pavilion in Venice, 1909

In the Giardino Publico, on a site offered to Hungary by the City of Venice at the annual rent of one gold piece, the Hungarian House opened on 24 April 1909. A modern reinforced concrete structure, simple and strong with a hollow interior, the building could easily be rearranged for different exhibitions but had a permanent exterior. The architect, Géza Maróti, collaborating with the artists Sándor Nagy and Aladár Körösfői-Kriesch, produced a design that echoed ancient traditions. The central theme was Attlla, whose story was known all over the Western world, and even the foundation of Venice has a strong connection to his legend. According to a record relating to Sándor Nagy, the building had stained glass made by Miksa Róth, who also made the mosaics – designed by Aladár Körösfői-Kriesch – at the two edges of the facade above fountains. Entry was made through an oak door decorated with polished glass and copper cladding, into a curved hall that gave access to the great hall. A sweeping staircase on each side led to the upstairs exhibition hall housing small items of modern Hungarian applied arts. This had four glass cabinets: one each for jewellery, lace, ceramics and leather batik. There was also a lounge and a reading room on the upper floor and a balcony giving a view of the great hall. The stepped ceiling was open in the centre, providing a direct source of light for the pictures and sculptures of the exhibition. Behind the great hall, opposite the main entrance, was a semicircular room with a display of small graphic works. To the right was a circular music room designed by Maróti, decorated with the old Hungarian technique of lead casting, and a small exhibition hall. To the left was a small side hall for works of fine art.

Dr. Czakó E. 'A magyar ház Veneziában' in: Magyar Iparművészet 1909/5. szám, 151-152.

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