Hungary - Eastern Europe - page 331

The Ecseri Flea Market (see “Markets,” later in this chapter) also deserves mention
here, as numerous private antiques dealers operate booths at this one-of-a-kind open-
air market.
Art Galleries
Budapest is home to a developing—and still fairly quick-changing—art gallery scene.
Uniquely, many art galleries are also auction houses, and vice versa. A new generation
of Hungarian collectors has developed, and significant interest from European and
international collectors has really fueled the development of the Hungarian modern-
art market. The market for antiques is also dynamic as many objects that gathered
dust over the Communist era have once again entered the market. Contemporary art,
meanwhile, has made less headway in the past few years, and remains an area for
future development.
Galleries tend to keep normal store hours (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm and Sat 10am-1
or 2pm, sometimes as late as 6pm). They're concentrated in two areas: the Inner City
of Pest and Buda's Castle District. If you want to browse, the art and antiques area of
Budapest runs along Falk Miksa, from Jászai Mari tér down to the parliament. A host
of art galleries and antiques shops can be found along this route. The art gallery with
the best taste in furniture and modern paintings is the Ernst Gallery, located adjacent
to Budapest's best coffeehouse, the Centrál Coffee House.
Ernst Gallery The gallery features fine and applied arts from Hungary and around
Europe. The Ernst Gallery, the most posh gallery in town, is run by a dynamic duo of
the Austrian-born Ernst Wastl and his Greek-born wife, Eleni Korani. They put together
exhibitions, discover “unknown” Hungarian artists, and whatever they put their hands
onto ends up being the talk of the town. The gallery also exhibits and sells fine furniture
and a wealthy collection of rarities including vintage art books, posters, and other
curiosities. Open Monday through Friday 10am to 7pm, and Saturday 10am to 2pm. V.
Irányi u. 27. & 1/266-4016 or 1/266-4017. www.ernstgaleria.hu. Metro: Ferenciek tér (Blue line).
Godot Gallery Located beside the cafe of the same name, Godot opened its door
to the arty crowd in 1999 in order to present a new, dynamic space for contemporary
Hungarian art. Exhibitions follow distinctly anti-mainstream themes, and this is
reflected in the uneven quality of the works displayed. Open Monday through Friday
10am to 6pm. VII. Madách I. u. 8. & 1/322-5272. www.godot.hu. Metro: Deák tér (all lines).
Kieselbach Gallery and Auction House Established and directed by art historian
Tamás Kieselbach, the Kieselbach gallery functions as a gallery and auction house. It also
puts on museum-type shows that present artworks from private collections at biannual
non-selling exhibitions. The gallery specializes in paintings from Hungarian artists
between 1850 and 1950. Auctions are held twice a year. Open Monday through Friday
10am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 1pm. V. Szent István körút 5. & 1/269-3148
or 1/269-2210. www.kieselbach.hu. Tram: 4 or 6 to Jászai Mari tér.
Mû-terem Gallery and Auction House Established and directed by art historian
Judit Virág and her husband, István Törö, this gallery also functions as an auction
house. Similar to their main competitors, the Kieselbach Gallery, this gallery also puts
on museum-type shows presenting artworks from private collections. Paintings by
19th- and 20th-century Hungarian artists are found here, a gallery that regularly pro-
duces record-setting prices for artists. Auctions are held twice a year. Open Monday
through Friday 10am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 1pm. V. Falk Miksa u.
30. & 1/269-3148 or 1/269-2210. www.mu-terem.hu. Tram: 4 or 6 to Jászai Mari tér.