Professor Lajos Matolcsy
Hungarian Fine Artist - Magyar Képzőművész
About
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“Above all, an artist is a teacher and a missionary whose prime duty should be to stimulate the mind and the emotions, to work to make life a little nicer
for everyone.” - Prof. L. Matolcsy
Professor Lajos Matolcsy was a prolific fine artist and father who survived incredible odds in war torn Europe. Separated from his family in the early 1940s - fleeing certain execution by the Nazis for fighting in the fierce Hungarian resistance - he dedicated the remainder of his life to sharing his art with the world, first and foremost through teaching.
His influence on the visual arts and artists in the Maine, the Oxford Hills, and especially through the Western Maine Art Group, established a vibrant arts community in the center of a 1960s rural-industrial mill town. This vibrant arts community endures today more than 40 years after his death, and has flourished into a veritable Mecca for artists all over New England to show in a variety of galleries that were born from his founding efforts.
Translation by Dr. Virág Annamária
the artist
by Bill Shimamura, 2006
Lajos Matolcsy
father of beautiful children
from the fire of war....beauty
from nothing....beauty
from Hungary....beauty
from Germany....beauty
from New York City....beauty
from the western Maine mountains....beauty
in all he would see....beauty
in all he would touch....beauty
in all he would do....beauty
each study
a masterpiece
worthy of framing
each masterpiece
a study
ever growing
in vivid colour
or chalk
in depth
perspective
respect
contrast
harmony
desire
and value
and of those who value
such a great father
such a great friend
such a great teacher
such a great man
an enlightened creator
of beauty
enriching our lives
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Professor Matolcsy working on architectural drafting during the 1950s following his immigration through Ellis Island, New York City where he fought immigration officials to keep his last name intact.
Pictured with his wife Claire Couri and their sons Sandor & Zoltan in their remote, mountain side farm in South Paris. Sandor would later tragically die at the age of 7.
Being interviewed by WCHS Channel 6, Portland, Maine
