The story behind the paintings
In the apartment, you can see reproductions of several paintings, which I mentioned in the room descriptions as being the works of my great-grandfather and uncle. Let’s get to know them better.
Judge and artist: Dr. Pál Karay
A judge of unimpeachable character
My great-grandfather, Dr. Pál Karay, lived from 1881 to 1969. His career as a judge culminated in his appointment as a presiding judge at the Supreme Court, from which he retired in 1950. His motto was: “Duty comes first!”
He was wholly devoted to his profession and his family. The thought of influence or favouritism in his work was inconceivable. His judicial activities were characterized by humanity, a love of justice, precision, thorough professional knowledge, objectivity, and helpfulness.
His judgments were often highlighted as exemplary in professional journals and newspapers. He was a member and officer of various professional committees and associations and also authored several books. For example, his book “Prison Labour,” published in 1927, is still regarded as a reference in penal institutions.
Artist and craftsman
I have detailed his professional career because it is astounding that, despite his demanding work, he also found time for various artistic and creative activities!
He painted still lifes and landscapes of Lake Balaton. The reproductions in the apartment are made from smaller paintings, but he also created works about 150×200 cm in size.
Before our present holiday home in Zamárdi, the family had a holiday home in Balatonberény, so these paintings were likely created there or were inspired by the surroundings. The following picture was taken of Dr. Pál Karay in the 1910s when he was a dashing gentleman.
In addition to painting, he also sculpted. He was skilled at clock repair, buying grandfather and wall clocks that had minor faults, fixing their mechanisms, and restoring any missing wood carvings.
A technical career but an artistic soul: Béla Antal
Dr. Pál Karay’s grandson is my uncle, who was born in 1939 and inherited the artistic talent: he drew from childhood, attended art classes, and sculpted.
Here is a painting he created of his grandfather, the aforementioned Dr. Pál Karay, in his later years.
His handiwork includes this small Madonna statue that adorns our holiday villa.
Béla, who had a degree in electrical engineering, worked in a technical field all his life. However, after working hours, he was able to pursue his hobbies, and thus various branches of the arts came back into the picture (sometimes quite literally).
His main hobby is photography (specifically 3D photography) and travel. He combined these two passions, capturing numerous photos and videos during his literal world travels, creating travel films, and having his photographs published in several books.
Villa Fábián
The original of the painting in the apartment was created in January 1968 after some preliminary sketches of the nearby Fábián Villa. Béla’s school teacher was László Fábián, and the holiday home of his family is depicted in the painting, viewed from Lake Balaton.
At that time, there was a bay beside the property, which has since been filled in, now lined with additional holiday homes. The pictures show how beautiful this house remains to this day and how it looks from the street and Lake Balaton.
From the past to the future
Most of these paintings have always been in Zamárdi, and when we were thinking about what decorations to put in the newly refurbished Bonrila Sun Apartment, the idea came to combine authentic Balaton images with our family history. I hope you like them too.
