Mai Manó House is the home of photography in Budapest

Located on Nagymező Street in Budapest, the Mai Manó House is one of the most important institutions of Hungarian photography, serving as a museum, gallery, and educational center. It is named after the renowned 19th-century photographer, Mai Manó, whose work significantly contributed to the development of Hungarian photography. This essay explores the history of the Mai Manó House, the life and work of Mai Manó, and the current exhibition featuring Frida Kahlo’s photography collection.

Mai Manó (1855-1917) was one of the most prominent figures in Hungarian photography. He began his career as a painter but soon turned to photography, becoming one of the most well-known and respected photographers in the country by the end of the 19th century.

His work was characterized by technical innovation and artistic experimentation. He was the first Hungarian photographer to experiment with color photography and introduced numerous innovations in portrait photography. His studio was a popular meeting place for the celebrities of the time, where he captured portraits of personalities like Mór Jókai, Lujza Blaha, and Mihály Munkácsy.

However, Mai Manó excelled not only in artistic portrait photography. His photographic work was extremely diverse: he captured landscapes, architectural photographs, reportage images, and even aerial photographs. He was the official photographer of the 1896 millennial celebrations, and his images provide a glimpse into the atmosphere of Budapest at the turn of the century.

Mai Manó also played a significant role as an educator. In 1893, he founded the first school of photography in Hungary, where he trained numerous talented students.

The Mai Manó House opened in 1998 at 20 Nagymező Street, in the same building that once housed Mai Manó’s studio and apartment. The aim of the house is to preserve the memory of Mai Manó and to provide a home for contemporary Hungarian photography.

The Mai Manó House hosts both permanent and temporary exhibitions. The permanent exhibition showcases the life and work of Mai Manó, while the temporary exhibitions feature the most exciting works of contemporary Hungarian and international photography.

The house also includes a library and a media library, where those interested in photography can access numerous books, journals, and digital materials. The Mai Manó House regularly organizes workshops, lectures, and other programs aimed at promoting photography and engaging the public.

The Mai Manó House is currently hosting a special exhibition: Frida Kahlo’s photography collection, on display from October 18, 2024, to January 12, 2025. The exhibition features material from Frida Kahlo’s personal photo archive, which was kept hidden from the public for decades.

The 241 photographs on display offer a glimpse into various stages of Frida Kahlo’s life and showcase the people and places that were important to her. The images include family photos, portraits, self-portraits, and photographs documenting Frida Kahlo’s art and political views.

A unique feature of the exhibition is the inclusion of photographs taken by Frida Kahlo herself. These images provide a unique insight into the artist’s perspective and her view of the world.

The Frida Kahlo photography collection exhibition offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the life and work of one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century. The exhibition is not only an interesting experience for Frida Kahlo fans but also for anyone interested in photography, art, and 20th-century history.

The Mai Manó House is one of the most important institutions of Hungarian photography, preserving the memory of Mai Manó and providing a home for contemporary Hungarian photography. The permanent and temporary exhibitions, library, media library, and regularly organized programs all serve to promote photography and engage the public. The current exhibition featuring Frida Kahlo’s photography collection offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the life and work of one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century.