OLGYAI, VICTOR (1870-1929)

“Teli Erdo (Winter Forest)” (c.1910)
Oil on canvas on board
57 x 77cm
Signed lower left
*private collection, Sydney
 
Olgyai was an important, and tragic Hungarian Impressionist. He studied at the University of Budapest where he focussed on linguistic and literary studies, but persevered with his drawing and sent one of sketch books to Artúr Tölgyessy, who encouraged him to pursue his interest in art. After a visit to Tölgyessy's studio in Margitta, and with the support of his brother Bertalan, he enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna and studied landscape painting with Eduard Peithner von Lichtenfels. He also took classes in etching from William Unger (1837-1932), which had a decisive influence on his work. He left the Academy in 1893 and began spending the winters with his family in Bacskó. In 1902, he became a lithographer and went to Besztercebánya, where he helped to create a literary and art magazine called "Havi Szemle" (Monthly Review), which he edited. His brother was a major contributor. It was published for only three years. In 1906, he was invited to become head of the graphics department at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts. He remained in that position until his death and was active in the organization and administration of several professional art societies. He committed suicide while vacationing in Austria. Shortly after, a major retrospective of his work was held at the Hall of Art.