Today we’d like to introduce you to Csaba Markus.
Hi Csaba, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Csaba Markus was born on January 26, 1953, in Budapest, Hungary.
Raised in a communist system, his early years were characterized by an environment that suppressed individual expression, which later influenced his resolute determination as an artist. From a young age, Markus was captivated by art, drawing inspiration from Budapest’s rich history, baroque architecture, and the Renaissance-era castles and palaces he encountered. He dedicated countless hours to studying the works of renowned masters such as Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Botticelli, which established the foundation for his lifelong passion for classical art.
Csaba Markus, a man of indomitable spirit, embarked on a perilous journey in 1978 that would profoundly alter the trajectory of his life. Born and raised in the oppressive confines of communist Hungary, Markus yearned for freedom and opportunity beyond the iron fist of oppression. With unwavering hope and boundless determination, he made the audacious decision to depart from his homeland and seek refuge in the land of dreams—the United States of America. Abandoning everything he held dear, Markus arrived in the land of the free with nothing but a suitcase brimming with aspirations. Little did he anticipate that the path to his American dream would be fraught with hardship and adversity. Homelessness became his constant companion, and the unforgiving streets of America became his unwelcome abode.
Markus’s most recent works embody the style, imagery, and ideas he refers to as “Contemporary Classicism.” His intention is not to replicate the Old Masters, but to build upon their legacy, thereby developing his unique artistic expression. Just as the artists of the 14th and 15th centuries transformed Classicism into the Renaissance, Csaba Markus’s objective is to redefine traditional and fundamental classical elements through unconventional and spontaneous means of expression. His deep appreciation for the past and his own cultural heritage have instilled in him a strong belief in the value of tradition. He has diligently sought the optimal fusion of style and content to convey the enduring beauty of classical themes in a manner that no contemporary artist has achieved before. Through his innovative approach, he endeavors to share this appreciation for the lost classical culture with the contemporary public.
Markus established his studio in Los Angeles, and his work has garnered international recognition. His paintings are exhibited in galleries across the United States, France, Japan, England, Russia, South Africa, and Australia. Notably, his painting “Pure Love” was ranked among the “World’s 10 Most Sensual Paintings” by the Toronto Sun. Additionally, his innovative approach to fine art caldographs (printing technology) has been adopted by other artists, further solidifying his influence.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My artistic journey has been characterized by challenges. Due to limited access to academies for the general population, I was unable to pursue an academic art education in my country.
Undeterred by my setback, I embarked on a rigorous autodidact learning path, dedicating substantial time to mastering the highest artistic techniques.
Although I had always been an artist, I commenced promoting and selling my works at Los Angeles street festivals and local art exhibitions.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My most recent works capture the style, imagery and ideas of what he terms “Contemporary Classicism”. It is not my intention to copy the Old Masters, but to build on them, thereby creating my own style. Just as the artists of the 14th and 15th centuries evolved Classicism into the Renaissance, so too is Csaba Markus’s intention in redefining traditional and basic classical details with loose and spontaneous means of expression. My appreciation of the past and for my own culture have made me a firm believer in the value of tradition. I searched for the correct fusion of style and content to best express the timeless beauty of classical themes in a way no contemporary artist has done before. Through my unconventional approach, I strives to share this appreciation for the lost classical culture with today’s contemporary public.
My versatility spans sfumato oil painting technic, drypoint and mezzotint etching, serigraphy, sculpture, glass art, my invention of the “Caldograph” in 2017 stands out as a mark of my creative ingenuity. This medium, inspired by the 500th anniversary of the Mona Lisa, uses dye sublimation to transfer images onto wood, merging Renaissance substrates with cutting-edge technology.
My oil painting Pure Love was named one of the World’s 10 Most Sensual Paintings” by the Toronto Sun, placing him alongside Picasso and Botticelli. Exhibitions in France, Japan, England, Russia, and the U.S., plus collections in prestigious galleries in London , Paris , Tokyo. attest to my global impact. My critics and collectors laud my “larger-than-life” presence and technical prowess,
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
The most important person was my mother, She loved me very much but she never supported me rich my artistic endowment , but also she never tried to control my desire to create. The unlimited freedom helped me and gave me opportunity to go unlimited directions. I was free as a bird and had the power to choose my destiny. Also an other the best thing happened for me because I had the most difficult life because it developed my strong spirit and forced me to learn and develop my own style and my special. technics.
Pricing:
- Print Editions $300 – $18000
- Oil paintings $8000-$250000
- Ethings $1000-$18000
- Fine Art Glass from $55000
- Ceramics $1000-$25000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://markusstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csabamarkus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csabamarkussArtist/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@csabamarkus1051
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4-4ZHvB7CA
