Houses 1922

Istvan Szönyi made this artwork, Houses, using ink on paper. The scene evokes a sense of both solidity and transience. The architectural structures rise in the landscape, and the cross appears in the distance. The cross, a universal symbol of sacrifice and redemption, finds its roots in pre-Christian and pagan symbolism. The cross extends far back into history, and its form echoes through the ages, from ancient sun wheels to various directional symbols, embodying concepts of intersection and equilibrium. Think of the Egyptian ankh, also a symbol of life and immortality. The emotional resonance of the cross in Szönyi's work is powerful, engaging viewers on a subconscious level with themes of hope. These symbols, charged with layers of cultural meaning, invite us to reflect on the cyclical progression of motifs. It is a testament to their enduring power to resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across time.