Antal Ligeti

Mihály Munkácsy is recorded as having studied under Antal Ligeti. The recorded working language is Hungarian. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are landscape. Work by Antal Ligeti is recorded in the collections of Hungarian National Gallery, Slovak National Gallery and Ernest Zmeták Art Gallery.

• Name — Antal Ligeti • Birth Name — Antal Hekler • Born — 10 January 1823 • Birthplace — Nagykároly, Hungary • Died — 5 January 1890 • Place of death — Budapest • Education — Károly Markó in Florence • Known for — Landscapes, genre scenes • Style — Landscapes, Orientalist themes • Illustration — Trencsény Castle (date unknown)

Born Antal Hekler, he was expected to follow in the family's footsteps and become a merchant, but he was so intent on being an artist that he abandoned the comforts of home and went to Italy. He travelled through Naples and spent some time in Florence, where he came under the tutelage of his fellow countryman Károly Markó. He spent a short time in Munich and, upon returning to his homeland in 1848, briefly fought in the Hungarian Revolution. Two years later, he settled in Sopron and attempted to earn a living by painting portraits. Failing that, he moved to Pest, where he met and obtained the patronage of Count István Károlyi, who allowed him to stay at his palace in Fót. In 1855, with the Count's financial support, he travelled extensively; visiting Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Cyprus and Malta and returning with a huge portfolio of sketches, some of which he used as the subjects for paintings. These works proved to be highly successful and, by 1861, he was able to establish his own home and studio in Pest. Seven years later, he was appointed curator of the art gallery at the Hungarian National Museum. He later served as a mentor to Mihály Munkácsy and Géza Mészöly.

Legeti worked primarily in oils. His work covers landscapes, Orientalist themes and portraits. • Illustration — Portrait of Károly Markó, 1847 • Illustration — Pálma, 1847 • Illustration — Herdsman's Hut, c. 1870 • Illustration — Seaside Town, 1886 • Illustration — Greek Temple, date unknown