The 66- by 99-centimetre painting arrived at the Ferihegy Airport customs office at the beginning of July. Upon closer examination of the painting, which is in good condition, customs officers saw the signature of Mihály Munkácsy in the lower left hand corner.
When asked by the Hungarian News Agency (MTI) why the Customs Office waited for weeks before disclosing it had the painting, Customs Office spokesman Jenő Sipos said the painting had been under examination.
The Hungarian press has reported that the painting is Munkácsy's Sunset, last exhibited in San Francisco in 1915, after which all trace of it was lost. But Sipos said an investigation into the painting's origin must continue before this can be confirmed. He added that customs officials have information about both the sender and the addressee of the painting.
Sipos declined to reveal any further information about the origin of the painting or its addressee, though he said any connection the sender had with Hungary was being investigated.
We want to find out how the picture ended up being sent to the addressee, who were its earlier owners and what plans there were for the painting, Sipos said. He added that it is still not known where the painting was kept - in a cellar gathering dust or as part of a private collection.
After a press conference where the painting was shown, Imre Pákh, who owns 35 Munkácsys, said that, although he is no expert, he would dispute whether the painting is indeed by the great Hungarian master. It does not appear to be Munkácsy's style and it is also too dark.
Pákh confirmed for MTI that someone had already offered to sell him the painting six months earlier, when an American art dealer showed him a photograph of the painting. But even then, Pákh said he did not like the painting and no price was ever mentioned. He added that, even if the painting is a genuine Munkácsy, it would be worth about HUF 50 million at auction, half of the value ascribed to it in the press.
Pákh noted that the painting was originally owned by Gyula Andrássy, the former prime minister of Hungary, and photographs of his family's collection should confirm its origin.
Until the investigation of the painting's history is completed, it will stay at the Hungarian National Gallery.
Source Múlt-kor / Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
