Here before us stands the Arató István Plaque. A simple yet powerful tribute to a remarkable Hungarian painter. It’s affixed to the building where he lived and worked. A testament to his life and artistry.
This plaque commemorates István Arató’s life. He lived from 1922 to 2010. It was unveiled on November 8 2012. Before 1945 he was known as Stephan Meitner. He was the son of the painter László Meitner. A significant detail often overlooked.
Arató’s artistic journey began at the Iparrajziskol school. He later studied at Örkény’s Strasser István free school. His teachers included János Rozs Aurél Bernáth. Ágost Benkhard and Lajos Szentiványi also guided him. However family issues interrupted his studies at the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts. He worked in Győr as a laborer. This continued until his deportation to Bergen-Belsen in 1944.
After the war Arató changed his name. He worked in a trade union. From 1947 Ferenc Börzsönyi Kollarits and Emil Róbert Novotny became his teachers. They taught him at the Elektromos Művek free school. Novotny’s expressive style deeply influenced him.
Arató maintained friendships with Béla Kondor Tibor Duray Jenő Barcsay and Sándor Bortnyik. His art is characterized by a realistic approach. Yet his paintings are infused with intense emotion. He was a founding member of the Young Artists’ Association. He was also a member of the Young Visual Artists’ Studio until 1959.
His travels broadened his artistic horizons. He traveled to the Soviet Union Paris Italy the Netherlands and East Germany. He exhibited his works in Budapest Miskolc Szeged Békescsaba Nagykanizsa Szekszárd Salgótarján Eger Döblingen Stuttgart and Gyöngyös. He even had exhibitions in the Derkovits Hall and the Képcsarnok in Budapest.
Arató’s artistic legacy extends beyond his paintings. He created a drawing album titled Fogadj be régi környék. This album is a poignant reflection of his neighborhood Angyalföld. This plaque serves as a constant reminder of his artistic contributions. A tribute to his life and work in this very spot in Budapest. A significant piece of Budapest’s artistic history.