Recognizing the names Vastagh György, ifj. Vastagh György, Vastagh Éva, and Vastagh László on this plaque raises a question: who were these people and why are they remembered here? This plaque commemorates four members of the Vastagh family. They were all artists. The plaque honors their lives and work.
György Vastagh the elder was a painter. He was born in 1834 and died in 1922. He painted portraits and genre scenes. György Vastagh the younger was his son. He was also a sculptor. He created animal and commemorative statues. Éva Vastagh and László Vastagh were also sculptors. They were the children of György Vastagh the younger. The Vastagh family’s artistic legacy spanned three generations.
György Vastagh the elder trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. He also studied with Carl Rahl. He painted religious works and portraits. Later, he focused on rural genre scenes. He became a court painter for Archduke Joseph Karl Ludwig. He painted part of the ceiling fresco in the Hungarian State Opera.
His son, György Vastagh the younger, was born in 1868. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. He also spent time in Paris. There he connected with Emmanuel Fremiet and Alexandre Falguiere. He created the Csikós statue. It stands in the Buda Castle. He also made the statue of Gábor Bethlen in Heroes’ Square. He crafted animal sculptures for the Cairo Agricultural Museum.
Vastagh Éva was born in 1900. She was the daughter of György Vastagh the younger. A spinal condition limited her mobility. Despite this, she became a sculptor. Her works included portraits and animal sculptures. She also designed medals. The Herend porcelain factory produced some of her small sculptures.
László Vastagh followed in the family tradition. He became a sculptor. He collaborated with his father on the Cairo Agricultural Museum project. The Vastagh family contributed significantly to Hungarian art. Their work encompassed painting and sculpture. They captured Hungarian life and history. They also depicted the natural world. This plaque serves as a reminder of their talent and dedication. Their artistic achievements enriched Budapest’s cultural landscape. They are a lasting source of inspiration.