A stunning exhibition called “Hungary in Color – Hidden Photos from 1862” at the Museum of Ethnography (Néprajzi Múzeum) in Budapest offers a rare look at photographs never before seen in Hungary. Recently discovered by researchers, the show—open until September 15—centers around a series of hand-colored portraits made at the 1862 London World’s Fair. These photographs capture traditional Hungarian folk costumes and scenes from various regions and settlements of the country as they appeared over 160 years ago.
Lost and Found Photos Come Home
The images, believed to have been lost for decades, were taken by John Tiedge (János Tiedge) and loaned from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The Budapest collection is enhanced by a set of preserved copies, with the two photo series perfectly complementing each other. For the first time since their creation, audiences in Budapest can see both Tiedge’s rare originals and the accompanying stories about their journey, from their making to their world debut.
