Restoration of the than memorial house in Bečej and the portrait of Queen Elisabeth in Sombor
MúzeumCafé 50.
Mór Than (1828–1899), an outstanding figure in Hungarian historical and monumental painting and his brother Károly Than (1834–1908), a pharmacist and professor of chemistry, a member of the Academy were both born in Bečej in the Southern part of historical Hungary. The Society of Intellectuals for the Than Brothers was founded in Bečej in 1995 with the aim of fostering the memory of the two excellent men and primarily strove for utilizing the Than House in municipal ownership standing in the town centre. In the end they succeeded. The 19th century building in Eclectic style was renovated with the effective support of Hungary and it has served talent mentoring, and promoting sciences and the arts since 2013. On the more than 400 square metre groundfloor the Than Memorial House accommodates 30 scientific-interactive games. The purchase of the games and making the reproductions were sponsored by Hungary’s Ministry of Human Resources and an individual. The house functions as a unique attempt in the region. It accommodates the days of talent presenting the national project of talent mentoring and the Than memorial camps, where children from Hungary and neighbouring countries participate. The author restored the Portrait of Queen Elisabeth on her personal offer in 2013. The painting dated Trieste, 1875 was originally displayed together with the portraits of Emperor Franz Joseph and Lord Lieutenant JózsefRudicsSnr. in the ceremonial hall of Somor’s County Hall. Following the fall of the Monarchy the only work portraying the queen which was included in a public collection escaped. The emperor’s portrait can be imagined on the basis of the work in the University Library, Budapest.