Piroska Szántó: Biblical Images

“On the threshold of the centenary of the Christian Museum, in accordance with the intentions of its founder, Primate János Simor, and for the purpose of enlarging and enriching the Museum’s collection, I hereby transfer, on behalf of the Archiepiscopal Authority, 36 graphic works into the ownership of the Museum. These works were created by the graphic artist Piroska Szántó. The prints serve to illustrate events from the Old and New Testaments. [...] Please arrange for the above-listed works to be entered into the inventory of the Christian Museum and to be made known to the public in an appropriate manner.

With sincere respect, Dr László Lékai, Bishop, Apostolic AdministratorEsztergom, 19 August 1975.”

This was how the patron prelate, representing the owner and maintainer, handed over the first sheets to the museum. In 1978, the list was further expanded, and it became complete in 1986, when the public was able to view the “biblical illustrations” at a temporary exhibition.

The volume, still popular today, was published in 1987 by the Szent István Society, with reproductions by Attila Mudrák. It contains 32 illustrations of the Old Testament and 38 illustrations of the New Testament.