Kieselbach called the painting, entitled ?Rendezvous?, the ?most extraordinary? of the six Csontvárys he has dealt with. Kieselbach added he would not mind if the painting was purchased by a foreigner. Though acknowledging that it was appropriate for all of Csontváry?s paintings to be ?listed?, and therefore restricted from being brought out of the country, he said this is precisely the reason why Csontváry has remained relatively little known in international art circles.
Speaking at a press conference before the opening of the Antique Interior 2006 exhibition, where the public will get a chance to see the painting, Kieselbach pressed for a Csontváry museum to be opened in Budapest. Only then can visiting foreigners be exposed to ?Hungary?s greatest painter?, he said. Few foreigners visit the southwestern Hungarian city of Pécs, the site of the only museum dedicated solely to the works of Csontváry.
The picture will be on display at the Antique Interior exhibition in the Műcsarnok, on Heroes? Square, between November 23 and 26. Kieselbach said he expected 20,000-30,000 visitors to see the picture at the exhibition, far more than would see it at the auction on December 15.
Hungarian gallery owners and art dealers show and offer for sale some of their finest pieces at the Antique Interior exhibition. The second Plug Contemporary Art Sale will run parallel with the exhibition, housed in a tent next to the Műcsarnok. Tickets for both exhibitions may be purchased for HUF 1,900, or a discounted price of HUF 1,400 for pensioners and students. Catalogues are available for HUF 3,700.
The exhibitions are open from 10:00 until 20:00, except on Sunday, when they are open until 19:00.
