Description

This piece captures a serene countryside in Hungary, where horses graze peacefully on a gentle hillside.

The sky above is a canvas of scattered, low gray clouds that seem to hug the valley below. The nearest hills are lush and green, while the distant ones fade into a soft blue-gray, creating a sense of depth and tranquility. The landscape is dotted with a few trees and the silhouettes of the grazing horses, adding life and movement to the scene.

Dad painted this during World War II, a time fraught with uncertainty. Despite the chaos, he found solace in his art, channeling the beauty of the Hungarian landscape into his work. He was a student at the Budapest Royal Academy of Fine Arts from 1943 to 1948, learning under the esteemed Hungarian master, Szõnyi István. His talent and dedication earned him a reprieve from military duty, as Master Szõnyi's commissions for the Hungarian government kept him focused on his artistic pursuits.

The original piece bears my father's signature and date on the lower right side.

This painting is not just a beautiful depiction of nature; it's a reflection of my father's resilience and passion for art amidst trying times.

On this day in 1944, Dad was 22 years old. The world was in turmoil, but he found peace at The Grazing Place.

Through My Father's Eyes