“Martin Jonáš – Painter from the Blue House”

10. 5. – 25. 10. 2024

Venue
Bratislava Castle

Address
Zámocká 2, Bratislava

Organizer
Slovak National Museum

Tags
Painting, Drawing

Venue Website
www.bratislava-hrad.sk

Martin Jonáš was born on May 9, 1924, in Kovačica, Serbia, as the fourth of six children in a Slovak farming and craftsman family (his father, Ján, was a furrier, and his mother, Mária, was a homemaker). He completed four grades of primary school and attended a six-month agricultural course. He began painting in 1945 and significantly contributed to the formation of the renowned Kovačica enclave of Slovak naive artists, becoming its most prominent figure.

He owned a unique collection of works by Vojvodina’s naive artists, a rare library, and a rich historical and literary archive.

Jonáš showcased his works at over three hundred solo and group exhibitions in nearly 50 countries across five continents. His pieces are included in the collections of many domestic and international galleries and museums, as well as in private collections. He was the recipient of several awards in the field of fine arts, earning medals and diplomas from international exhibitions, competitions, and showcases of naive painting. He passed away in Pančevo on January 31, 1996.

Jonáš left behind an exceptional artistic legacy of more than three thousand paintings, watercolors, drawings, and prints.

The exhibited items belong to the collection of Ivan Melicherčík.