Orientalism in Designs of Ödön Lechner

The purpose of the course is to present an introduction of orientalism in Hungary, mostly in 19th and 20th centuries. A major part of the course is dedicated to Ödön Lechner’s architecture and Eastern influences on his buildings.
Higher understanding of orientalism in Lechner’s designs requires observing his path. For that, students need to realize the perception of orientalism in Europe by studying history, European examples of oriental architecture, decorative designs and oriental motifs, then find the connection to Lechner’s path. This connection will help them to sense the concept of orientalism in Hungary.
This course will help students to learn about orientalism depending on geographical locations related to history and its reflections on modern art.

Professor: Paria Keshavarz Mashhoori

Classes will be on every Thursday at 4 pm.

Subject / course contents

• Introduction
  • Ödön Lechner
  • Definition of orientalism
• Orientalism in Europe
  • West and East; definition and connection
  • Orientalists
  • Examples of oriental architecture
• Orientalism in Hungary
  • Scholars
  • Designers and manufacturers
  • Architects and oriental building design
• Orientalism in Ödön Lechner’s architectural designs
  • Kecskemét City Hall
  • Budapest Museum of Applied Arts
  • Geological Institute
  • The Postal Savings Bank
  • Szent László Gimnázium
• Summary and conclusions

Exam: term mark ( essay presentation )

Recommended books

Lechner, a Creative Genius
(József Sisa. Museum of Applied Arts, 2014)

Ödön Lechner in Context
(Studies of the international conference on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Ödön Lechner’s death. Edited by Zsombor Jékely. Museum of Applied Arts, 2015)