Spányi Béla | En plein air painter

Béla Adalbert von Spányi (19 March 1852, Pest - 12 June 1914, Budapest) was one of Hungary’s best painters of landscapes and scenes of natural outdoor beauty.
He studied in Vienna, Munich and Paris and spent much of his time in Szolnok, a popular gathering place for artists. He was one of the assistants who worked with Árpád Feszty to produce his monumental cyclorama Arrival of the Hungarians.

Spanyi’s name has long been referred to as the first order among Hungarian landscape painters. The rich life’s work of Spányi was focused entirely on landscape painting. He combined the seemingly insignificant natural landscapes with a very well-defined mood through his works. Born in Budapest, Spanyi took quickly to his artistic studies, later spending three years in Vienna, then traveling on to Paris and Munich as part of perfecting his talent. His time in Munich was of particular significance and professional success as his works were in great demand from the Bavarian art dealers, Spanyi even attracted the attention of Bavaria’s Prince-Regent, later King Ludwig III, a well-known patron of fine art.

It is widely accepted that many of Spanyi’s paintings are scattered around the world, but most of his work remains within the country, most notably in the collection of the Hungarian National Gallery.
In 1889, Spanyi was honored in Berlin by the Fine Arts Society and received their Grand Prize medal as well as an honorary diploma from their institute.
Among some of Spanyi’s works honored during his lifetime were “Autumn Morning” - Gyorgy Raft award - 1882, "Reed-taking" and “Autumn sunshine”, 1893.
In 1893, he created five large frescoes in the Hunters’ Hall of the Hungarian Parliament. Spanyi died on the 12th June 1914 and is buried in Budapest.