MAGYAR POSTA PAYS TRIBUTE TO PÁL SZINYEI MERSE: A SPECIAL SOUVENIR SHEET IS ISSUED TO MARK THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF “LADY IN VIOLET” BEING PAINTED

Magyar Posta is issuing a special souvenir sheet to mark the 150th anniversary of the famous painting by Pál Szinyei Merse, Lady in Violet. The souvenir sheet and the related philatelic products were designed by the graphic artist Imre Benedek and produced by Pénzjegynyomda Zrt. They can be purchased at Filaposta, philately specialist services, certain post offices and on Magyar Posta’s official website from 10 September.

10 August 2024

Pál Szinyei Merse was a leading figure in 19th-century Hungarian art and one of the pioneers of modern Hungarian painting. The painting Lady in Violet is a portrait of Zsófia Probstner, the artist’s wife, which was painted in 1874, shortly before the birth of their first child. The work, which came into museum possession in 1917 and has been referred to over the years as the “Hungarian Mona Lisa”, today remains one of the best-known and most popular Hungarian paintings, and is an emblematic artwork of the Hungarian National Gallery’s permanent exhibition.

In addition to the standard, black-numbered edition, a red-numbered imperforated edition of the souvenir sheet and an exclusive stamp set are being issued. Alongside the two editions of the souvenir sheet, the stamp set also contains a monochrome version, which may only be purchased as part of the set and may not be used to pay for postage.

The philatelic products issued to mark the anniversary of the painting are not merely a tribute to the art of Pál Szinyei Merse, but also an opportunity for art lovers and collectors to connect with Hungarian cultural heritage in a special way.

The souvenir sheet was presented by Magyar Posta at a ceremony in the Hungarian National Gallery. At the event, Sára Hegmanné Nemes, Vice Chair of Magyar Posta’s Board of Directors, said that Magyar Posta attaches great importance to preserving and nurturing Hungarian cultural heritage, thus the 150th anniversary of Pál Szinyei Merse’s masterpiece Lady in Violet offers a special opportunity to present one of Hungary’s artistic treasures to the public in a unique form. “We hope that this souvenir sheet not only pays tribute to one of the great artists of the past, but will also serve as an inspiration to all those who appreciate the enduring power of art,” the Vice Chair said.

Magyar Posta Zrt.