One of the greatest debts of Hungarian art and photo was the substantial pursuit of Hungarian style. As long as it lasted, between 1925–1944, he was equally popular at home and abroad, he was frequently mentioned even if in an overrated manner. The cultural ideologues of socialism frequently accused him of nationalism, revanchism and false romanticism. The title of our book reflects the Janus-dualism, which we will attempt to explain. Success and myth. The golden age of our photography, its most successful period was the period designated as Hungarian Style, between the Word Wars. Hundreds of exhibition medals, awards, diplomas, news releases reveal the truly unparalleled triumphal procession. And the accompanying legends and myths? During the best period of the Hungarian Style it achieved great success in Hungary in virtually all forums; it achieved spectacular results in international amateur forums; but it remained virtually unnoticed by the totality of history dealing with global tendencies.
What can we do today with the Hungarian Style? That is what the book is all about. It attempts to fashion a certain kind of reckoning of this quarter century’s comprehensive period, using the best remaining photographs of the outstanding photographers.