30 May, Friday 9:00
Katona József Library
SÁNDOR KERTÉSZ: JANKÓ – COMIC BIOGRAPHIES
The artist János Jankó, who was also called the comedian of the drawing pen, was active in the second half of the nineteenth century, and could not have imagined that his name would be linked to the development of Hungarian caricature.
He originally wanted to be a painter, and only drew for newspapers to support his painting studies in Vienna. He became known for his paintings depicting rural life with a touch of humour, and he regularly participated in exhibitions. Then Mór Jókai launched his comic paper Nagy Tükör, later renamed Üstökös, which was a novelty in Hungary at the time, and János Jankó became its graphic artist. The money he earned was enough to fund his studies in Vienna, but two years later Kálmán Tóth convinced him to move back and work for Bolond Miska, establishing him as the main graphic artist for all comic publications.
He was present at the birth of almost all comic papers launched in the period. He left behind over sixty thousand drawings. His work was never offensive; every day, he prepared his drawings highlighting folk humour with fine taste. He not only drew caricatures, he also illustrated newspapers and books. Despite many commissions, he lived modestly, and his dream of becoming a renowned painter never came true. However, he established an artistic level of caricatures in Hungary.
The book presents the graphic artist’s life and oeuvre with many illustrations, demonstrating the press and political environment of his era.
