Page 139 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Budapest

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The period of Angevin rule
(see p20) coincided with the
birth of the Gothic style, which
is represented here by some
excellent examples of gold
work. The next two halls explore
the reign of Sigismund of
Luxembourg (see p26) and
the achievements of János
Hunyadi (see p26). On display
here are copies of portraits of
King Sigismund by Albrecht
Dürer and a richly decorated
ceremonial saddle. There are
also several platinum and gold
pieces, illuminated manu scripts
and documents. The lifestyle
of peasants from this era is
illustrated, as well as the history
of the royal court.
The reign of Mátyás Corvinus Printing press used in 1848 to print nationalist propaganda
(see pp26–7) and the Jagiellonian
dynasty (see p20) marks the de­ important documents and
cline of the Gothic period and 18th–19th-Century memoirs from that time.
Exhibition
the birth of the Renaissance. The central section, dedi cated
Exhibits from this era include a This part of the museum covers to the uprising of 1848–9 (see
15th­century glass goblet be­ Habsburg rule, a period of pp32–3), features a printing
longing to King Mátyás, late great civil unrest. The exhibition press on which were printed
Gothic pews from a church in begins with arti facts connected leaflets outlining the 12
Bártfa, armour and weapons, as to the Rákóczi insurrection of demands in Hungary’s fight for
well as a 16th­century dress 1703–11 (see pp30–31). Weapons, independence from Austria.
belonging to Maria Habsburg. as well as furniture from Ferenc The exhibits from the second
Magnificent exam ples of II Rákóczi’s palace, are exhibited half of the 19th century include
sculpture, art and artifacts here. One item of part­ collections of masonic items,
from the 16th and 17th icular interest is the official decorations, coins and
centuries follow. Of arm chair pro duced historic manuscripts. Items
interest are items that by Rákóczi himself. relating to the coronation of
survived the Turkish The next hall is Franz Joseph in 1867 and the
occupation (see dedicated to 18th­ Millennium Celebrations of
pp28–9), especially century Hungarian 1896 are also displayed here.
the every day objects art and culture.
and weapons. Brooch from the The following
A separate hall is 18th-century rooms portray the
dedicated to the Hungarian history of 20th-Century Exhibition
Transylvanian principality and the first half of the 19th century. Reflecting the technical
the important historical role Artworks, including magnifi cent developments of this century,
that it played. Exhibited here portraits and historic paintings, Hungary’s recent history is
are vessels and jewellery such as Placing the Cornerstone presented in a documentary
elaborately crafted in gold, of the Chain Bridge, are style. Photographs, and docu­
17th­century costumes, and assembled along with ments are widely used to
original ceramics produced by illustrate this period. Artifacts
the people of Haban, who relating to World War I and the
settled there in the early 17th era of revolution between the
century. This last section of the wars, and shocking docu ments
exhibition ends in 1686, at the from World War II can be found
time of the liberation of Buda here. The post­war history of
by the Christian armies after Hungary is depicted mainly
the Turkish occupation. In this from a political per spective.
part of the museum there are Emphasis is placed on
also portraits of influential significant episodes, such
Hungarians from the period, as the uprising of 1956 and
and an interesting exhibition the events of 1989, which
of jewellery dating from the Guild chest from the sig nalled the end of Communism
17th century. 17th century in Eastern Europe (see p37).

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