The exhibition containts the unique photography work of Plohn’s. A collection of late-life portraits of renowned and unnamed 1848 freedom fighters and national guardsmen who were still living in Hódmezővásárhely and its surroundings more than fifty years after the War of Independence. Quoting historian György Szabad, the first Speaker of Parliament after the regime change, this collection “forms an integral part of our national heritage… and stands as a ‘more lasting monument than bronze’ to the common soldiers of 1848-49.”

Plohn's primary intention was documentation. His technically flawless photographs, made with superior craftsmanship, did not strive for spectacular artistic effects. In his compositions, he followed solutions inherited from the 19th century, particularly from painting: harmoniously distributing the visual elements in the foreground, middle ground, and background, mostly depicting them from eye level and normal perspective, often from a tripod. “The composition, expressive power, and immediacy of the images still captivate viewers today,” said ethnographer Magdolna Szabó. According to an advertisement in the Tanyai Újság, “Those who want truly artistically executed photographs should visit J. Plohn’s studio. Awarded with personal praise from His Majesty. Winner of first prizes, gold and silver medals at several exhibitions.”

The most significant national value of József Plohn’s work is his portraits of 1848 freedom fighters. “Even if he had left nothing else to Hungarian cultural history than this wonderful, poignant series of portraits, the late chronicle of the War of Independence in face-pictures, he would still be immortal,” wrote István Kovács in the introduction to the small catalog of the Komárom and Esztergom exhibitions.

 In 1991, the American Hungarian Museum in Passaic exhibited 40 photographs by József Plohn from the collection of the Ethnographic Museum in Budapest. The exhibition was partially made possible by a donation from Prudential Partners. American Hungarian Museum, Publication No. 2, 1991.

Thanks to Kálmán Magyar and Éva Szabó these works were housed in the Örly Museum.

Source: Tőry Klára - Plohn József (1869 – 1944) élete és ritkán látott felvételei

Kiállításszervező / Exhibition organizer: Éva Szabó