Community Support in the Research
In June 2023, the Göcsej Museum sought the public’s assistance via its Facebook page to locate artworks by painter Gyula Laczkó (1901–1983) that are in private collections. The call, published in several media outlets, yielded moderate results overall. However, recently, a private individual submitted photographs and information about a Laczkó painting in their possession, creating a new opportunity for the museum.
Acquiring a Significant Artwork
The Göcsej Museum successfully purchased the painting with support from the Zalaegerszeg for Culture Public Foundation and the Salla Foundation. The large oil painting, measuring 113×142 cm, depicts a historical scene with multiple figures: Saint Joan of Arc standing before the court of the Inquisition.
The painting was acquired within a family transaction shortly after its creation in the early 1930s and relocated from Zala to Kecskemét. Decades later, it has now returned to Zalaegerszeg.
Gyula Laczkó and Zala’s Artistic Heritage
In the 1920s, Gyula Laczkó lived in Sümeg, which then belonged to Zala, and from 1932 he resided in Bak. He actively participated in the local art scene until the mid-1950s. Laczkó created notable works, including a life-size portrait of Albert Apponyi for the Zalaegerszeg town hall and decorations for several Zala churches (Bak, Zalatárnok, Bagod).
Until now, the Göcsej Museum only preserved Laczkó’s representative portrait of Apponyi. The newly acquired painting is not only a standout piece of Laczkó’s oeuvre but also a significant work of Zala’s interwar art scene.
A New Home for a Unique Artwork
Acquiring this painting marks a significant step for the museum, as it enriches the collection with a piece that authentically represents the region’s artistic heritage. The artwork will soon be on display at the museum for the public to admire.
