(12 April, 1861 -24 November, 1928)
Gyula Tornai was born in Görgö, Hungary, 1861. And he was one of the leading Hungarian painters known for Orientalist art. Tornai started his art education at the academies in Vienna, Munich, and Budapest, where he learned under the guidance of well-known artists such as, Hans Makart and Gyula Benczúr. Tornai's style was strongly influenced by Makart's aestheticism and color schemes, known as Makartstil.
Tornai started his career by painting genre scenes that were popular in the late 19th century. However, after traveling to India, China, Japan, and Morocco, he began painting scenes of the diverse and exotic places and customs he saw during his travels. After a two-year trip, the artist put together sixty big paintings and some smaller studies. He sent them to be displayed in important cities such as, London, Paris, Hamburg, Dresden, Leipzig, and Budapest in the fall of 1909. Tornai also made custom frames for his paintings to fit their themes.
Tornai lived in Tangier from 1890 to 1891, when he created this artwork. The painting showcases his exceptional skill as a painter, drawing inspiration from Tangiers' rich and colourful culture. The artwork is notable for its detailed and well-balanced composition, as well as the carefully crafted scene it depicts. He effectively used simple architectural elements to set the stage for a scene from daily life in Tangiers. Additionally, he painted Indian subjects, including well-known paintings of Amritsar, such as one depicting the Golden Temple in India.
Tornai Oriental paintings earned him worldwide recognition while he was still alive. A contemporary review noted that his works from this time had a unique beauty and vivid and highly rich colours that had never been seen before. His paintings are also known for their irony, humor, and wit, paintings are enhanced by Eastern weapons and colourful local clothing, creating visual appeal. The large size of the artwork pulls viewers in, offering an exotic atmosphere. It showcases Tornai’s Orientalist style with a North African street scene that feels like an informal observation of local musicians and customs. The painting, filled with groups of figures, is both soothing and engaging, inviting the viewer to explore its rich range of colours and textures. His collection of paintings is now in the Hungarian National Gallery.
Gyula Tornai passed away in Budapest, Hungary on 24 November, 1928.
