The Collection of Hungarian Art of the Kereskedelmi Bank Rt. [antikvár]

üKmi' /DEDICATION BY LORÁND BERECZKY DIRECTOR, HUNGARIAN NATIONAL GALLERY" do on thy treasures dwell not alone, nor let thy glory shine solely for thyself "Janus PannoniusE./ver since tlie familiar relationship between painters or sculptors and their patrons ended with the outgoing Middle Ages, the artists' creative fulfillment and their living conditions depended on how well they were able to sell their works. From the 18th century on collectors who appreciated the meaning and value of art began to buy art objects whose worth could be expressed also in cash. The Medicis introduced the soon popular trend of collecting art as a form of investment and wealth acquisition. Art retains its value, and owning some is an indication of a stable economy and the sophistication of its proprietor.With wide-reaching nationalization coming into force in Hungary the state became the largest client of art, and with politics see-sawing from day to day the artist's person came to take precedence over the art he produced, and his good standing became the main consideration in the support to be had. With the social conditions becoming transformed in the mid-seventies to favour individual initiative over egalitarianism, and the ensuing modest economic growth, the practice changed. People again aspired to own art, and art again retained its value. After a long hiatus auctions were being held and art became anew a form of investment.With the all-embracing changes in the early nineties market conditions took root and although for artists that meant the end to state support, it also made art into a widely practiced form of investment. That explains the ever-growing involvement of banks, who have a vested interest in moving money, in this form of venture. They realized that by investing in art they were shaping their image, and these institutions were, and are, keen on projecting a sophisticated look as part of their public relations.When Kereskedelmi Bank Rt. conceived its new main office building, it deliberately selected art objects as decorations for its interior, which was perfectly in line with its financial role and also was appropriately motivated by a desire to secure a good investment. Just as its clients can enjoy the pleasant ambience of the institution they are doing business with, the; ' ' 1 ' : 1; I 'I'II:, ii 'i: i i ,I 'i, 'isi,:' , .-i11 ':, i i I', Í'1 (HJI'MI'l M''.-Ii'l 1.: