On 8 June 2023, museum professionals took possession of the renovated building of the Dezső Laczkó Museum. Thanks to the Veszprém-Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture programme, not only has the 120-year-old building been renovated, but the opening exhibition will also be of exceptional cultural value. From 24 June, the general public can visit the unique exhibition celebrating the 140th anniversary of the birth of József Egry, the painter of Lake Balaton.
As a result of the infrastructure renovations supported by the Veszprém-Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture programme, Veszprém has gained another significant asset. The exhibition halls and interiors of the protected historic building of the Laczkó Dezső Museum have been completely reconstructed. The creation of museum exhibition and visitor spaces that meet today’s standards, the accessibility of the building and the renovation of its external façade were made possible with a grant of around HUF 1.7 billion.
After renovation works, the Dezső Laczkó Museum reopens with a major exhibition to mark the 140th anniversary of the birth of József Egry. Egry, who settled in Keszthely and then in Badacsony after the First World War, is primarily known as the painter of Lake Balaton, but he left behind a much more complex oeuvre. Thus, the exhibition does not only focus on the pictures of Lake Balaton, but also includes works created during the painter’s study trips to Italy. The backbone of the exhibition is the Egry collection of nearly 50 pieces from the museum’s fine art collection.
As a prelude to the exhibition, the Dezső Laczkó Museum has also prepared an audio recording of interviews with the painter and Krisztián Nyáry’s essay on József Egry and his wife Juliska Pauler. The content, which is available online, is designed to ensure that exhibition visitors get acquainted with the artist’s thoughts and creative philosophy before they arrive at the museum. During the temporary exhibition, the museum will also organise guided tours, workshops, experience painting and wine tasting, about which more information can be found on the museum’s social media pages.
