Saints, Soldiers, Shepherds [antikvár]

ITHE HUMAN FIGURE IN HUNGARIAN FOLK ARTIt is in representations of the human figure that we find our closest contact with the art of other peoples and ages. An archaic Greek statue of Apollo, a West African wooden mask or the figure of the meditating Buddha from a rock temple can in themselves symbolize the artistic style and Weltanschaimng prevalent in even the most remote and alien societies.We have no wish to compare the artistic value and significance of representations of the human figure in folk art with the famous works of art; the figures are nevertheless far more expressive than the other motifs employed. They convey with a poignant immediacy the life and outlook of the peasants, the environment in which they were made. The models for these figures were persons with some special significance for village people; and the modelling reveals the way these persons lived in the mind of the people. From their rendering it is possible to analyse the artistic standards and unique approach of this kind of art.On some of the objects used by Hungarian peasants the human figure is used only to create a long row of simple decorative pattern as 3 in the embroidered borders on aprons or coverlets. But on other pieces there is a striking attempt at portrayal. Thus we find herdsmen, soldiers, legendary highwaymen as well as the figures of Hungarian history, prophets and saints. There is a surprisingly large number of self-portraits; these are found on objects made by herdsmen, potters and 18b, 20, 6 even in the embroidery of peasant girls. It may be of some value to query just why this aspiration for human representation should have shown itself in peasant communities living in the traditional manner. It is this branch of folk art that can best be compared to "great art" painting and sculpture. We have to ask to what extent peasant art is independent and what sort of aesthetic laws it observes. Yet other questions rise to the mind. In what respect is folk art really an art, what 'are its artistic qualities and what is its place in the general history of art?