Obverse. Photo © Magyar Nemzeti Bank
  • 2000 Forint 2019, Adamo# EM376, Hungary, 175th Anniversary of Birth of Mihály Munkácsy
  • 2000 Forint 2019, Adamo# EM376, Hungary, 175th Anniversary of Birth of Mihály Munkácsy
Description

Mihály Munkácsy (1844–1900) was a Hungarian painter celebrated for his realistic style and evocative compositions. Born Michael Lieb in Munkács, part of the Kingdom of Hungary (now Mukachevo, Ukraine), he studied art in Budapest, Vienna, and Munich. Initially focusing on landscapes and genre scenes, Munkácsy gained international fame for his grand historical paintings and portraits. His work often drew from Hungarian history, biblical narratives, and contemporary life, conveying intense emotions and compelling stories. Notable masterpieces include "The Condemned Cell" (1872), reflecting his social awareness, and "Christ before Pilate" (1881), part of his renowned "Christ Trilogy." Despite personal and financial hardships, Munkácsy received numerous awards and honors, including the French Legion of Honour, for his significant contributions to art. His emotionally resonant paintings continue to be cherished and studied by art enthusiasts worldwide.

Engraver: Gábor Kereszthury

Obverse

Depicts the half-length portrait of Mihály Munkácsy based on his 1896 painting "Self-Portrait." The inscription "MUNKÁCSY" appears in a quarter-circle at the top right, with his birth and death years, "1844-1900," centered beneath it. At the bottom right, integrated into the depiction of the painter's palette, the engraver's privy mark is visible.

MUNKÁCSY
1844-1900

Reverse

Depicts a detail from Mihály Munkácsy's painting "Christ Before Pilate." Integrated into the depiction, at the top edge in a semicircular inscription, is the text "HUNGARY", below it in the center is the issuance year "2019," to the right is the mint mark "BP," and at the bottom edge in a semicircular inscription is the denomination and the text "FORINT." Inside the mint mark, under at least tenfold magnification, microtext becomes visible.

Mihály Munkácsy's "Christ before Pilate" (1881) is an impressive oil painting measuring 417 x 636 cm, housed in the Déri Museum, Debrecen. Inspired by Tintoretto's "passion" pictures in Venice, Munkácsy conceived the idea of a trilogy while staying with Archbishop Lajos Haynald in Kalocsa. After studying works by Rembrandt and Rubens and producing thirty-five studies and sketches, he completed the first composition in 1880. The painting gained immense acclaim following exhibitions in Vienna, Budapest, and various British cities, and was later shown in America, where millionaire John Wanamaker purchased it for a substantial sum. Exhibited at the 1889 Paris World Exhibition and the 1893 Chicago Exhibition, the painting was later restored and displayed in Hungary in 1995, marking the first complete exhibition of the Christ Trilogy. Munkácsy’s work, based on biblical accounts from John and Luke, portrays a victorious Christ, highlighting the painter's deep psychological insight and reflection on contemporary societal and ethical issues.

MAGYARORSZÁG
2019
BP.
2000 FORINT

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Copper Nickel
Weight 23.7 g
Diameter 37 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

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