Zsófia Turóczy (PDF)
https://doi.org/10.53631/DIS/2017.8.2
At the beginning of the 20th century, several artists’ colonies existed in Hungary. At the same time, Freemasonry reached its peak not only in Hungary but throughout Eastern Europe. Like the artists’ colonies, this arcane fraternity pursued utopian ideas with the desire to change the world for the better. Freemasonry in Hungary began to develop in 1870 with the foundation of the Grand Lodge of Hungary. At the end of the First World War, the radical wing of Freemasonry took control of the Grand Lodge. The radicals were attentive to social reform and capable of influencing political processes. The Freemasons’ lodges also attracted artists who were radically pro-progressive. Thus, Freemasonry played an important role for the Hungarian intelligentsia and benefited artists because the lodges supported them. Some artists who lived and worked in the Nagybánya and Kecskemét artists’ colonies joined Freemason lodges. The article analyses who these artists were, why they joined the Freemasons and whether the membership influenced their work.
Keywords: Grand Lodge of Hungary, intelligentsia, Nagybánya, Kecskemét