The Other Mattis Teutsch [antikvár]

FOREWORD ¦ János Mattis Teutsch should be ranked among the great revolutionists of the 20'" century fine arts. His name and his activity should be mentioned together with that of Vasily Kandinsky, Paul Hee or Franz Marc. The genuinity of his art cannot be questioned any more either on the fields of painting, graphics and sculpture or on that of applied arts and the theory of arts. Still, there is one thing that produced a certain degree of reserve against his art: his work is a little bit too difficult to be understood. This is due to the fact that János Mattis Teutsch is highly philosophical, having a serious tendency for abstraction, so his works can be approached only with a deep empathy. Still, it is not an impossible endeavor, The truth is that Mattis Teutsch as an artist is extremely sensitive to the changes ofthe different tendencies, so, beside drawing up the inner values of each artistic work, understanding can be improved by trying to find out and see the reasons, as well as the connections - even if bushy sometimes - which had lead to the birth of a given work under that special form, ? So, by writing this book our endeavor was to give some background information we have gathered to help - according to our possibilities, of course - the reader and all those interested in finding their way among the artist's works. There is one part of Mattis Teutsch's life and activity which has been hardly known or entirely unknown to the public. This book lays a greater stress on it and that is where the title comes from: The Other Mattis Tbutsch. ? When elaborating the illustrating material - seeking after authenticity - our aim was to use contemporary reproductions and photos with documentary value, whenever possible. Waldemar Mattis Tfeutsch, the artist's grandson, set these original sources to our disposal and assured our access to the still "hidden treasures" of that part ofthe oeuvre which is still in the family's possession. We express here our special gratitude to him and to dr János Rechnitzer who not only had a serious role in publishing this book, but his enthusiasm, his friendly support was of great help to the author all along his work. Győr, January 25, 2001.