Károly Ferenczy Exhibition at Petit Palais: A Journey into Hungarian Modernity (2026)
As celebrated in Hungary as he is unknown in France, Károly Ferenczy (1862–1917) finally takes centre stage in Paris. The Petit Palais dedicates its first French retrospective to him, running from 14 April to 6 September 2026, with nearly 140 works brought together in collaboration with the Museum of Fine Arts Budapest and the Hungarian National Gallery.
Who is Károly Ferenczy?
Born on 8 February 1862 in Vienna as Carl Freund, Károly Ferenczy trained at the Académie Julian in Paris (1887–1889), where he absorbed the naturalism of Jules Bastien-Lepage. Back in Hungary, he co-founded an artists' colony in the heart of the Hungarian countryside and developed an open-air painting style of unparalleled luminosity.
Neither naturalist, nor symbolist, nor impressionist, nor Nabi - yet a little of all of these - he embodies the cosmopolitanism of the fin-de-siècle and stands as the father of modern Hungarian painting. He died in Budapest on 18 March 1917.
A Deep Dive into Hungarian Artistic Modernity
The exhibition trail highlights the many facets of Ferenczy's approach: luminous landscapes, intimate portraits, family scenes, biblical subjects, nudes and caricatures. The sun frequently appears as a central protagonist, revealing a unique syncretic spirituality.
The scientific curatorship is led by Ferenc Gosztonyi, Réka Krasznai and Edit Plesznivy (Museum of Fine Arts Budapest / Hungarian National Gallery), alongside Baptiste Roelly (Petit Palais). General curatorship is overseen by Annick Lemoine, President of the Musées d'Orsay et de l'Orangerie.
Practical Information
- Address: Avenue Winston-Churchill, 75008 Paris
- Dates: 14 April – 6 September 2026
- Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–6pm (last entry 4:30pm); late nights Friday & Saturday until 8pm (last entry 6:30pm)
- Admission: Full price €17 | Reduced €15 | Free for under-18s
- Phone: +33 1 53 43 40 00
- Official hashtag: #ExpoFerenczy
- Official website: petitpalais.paris.fr
Easy Access from Hôtel Jardin de Villiers
Staying at Hôtel Jardin de Villiers (Paris 17th) puts your guests less than 20 minutes from Petit Palais - no car, no taxi needed.
- Metro line 13: Villiers station → Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau (direct, ~15 min) - Petit Palais is a 2-minute walk.
- Metro line 2: Villiers → Opéra, then RER C or bus 72 to Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau.
- By bike (Vélib'): ~25 min via the Batignolles and Champs-Élysées cycle lanes.
Visit our dedicated Petit Palais page for all our cultural recommendations nearby, or browse our selection of Paris museums reachable from the hotel.
Why Visit This Exhibition This Summer?
Summer 2026 is the perfect opportunity to (re)discover an unjustly overlooked painter in France. Ferenczy offers a luminous, peaceful alternative to the major crowded retrospectives: his canvases bathed in Hungarian sunlight invite contemplation and serenity.
"After seeing the exhibition, what struck me most was the way Ferenczy captures the light of summer - a light that seems to come from within the things themselves."
Pair it with a visit to the nearby Grand Palais and the Champs-Élysées, or the Jacquemart-André Museum just a few minutes' walk away.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ferenczy Exhibition
When does the Károly Ferenczy exhibition take place at Petit Palais?
The exhibition Károly Ferenczy. Hungarian Modernity runs from 14 April to 6 September 2026 at Petit Palais, Avenue Winston-Churchill, Paris 8th.
How much are tickets for the Ferenczy exhibition?
Full price is €17, reduced price €15. Entry is free for under-18s. Late-night openings are available on Fridays and Saturdays until 8pm.
How do I get to Petit Palais from the 17th arrondissement?
From Hôtel Jardin de Villiers, take metro line 13 towards Châtillon–Montrouge from Villiers station and get off at Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau: Petit Palais is a 2-minute walk. Journey time: approximately 15 minutes.
Who is Károly Ferenczy?
Károly Ferenczy (1862–1917) was a Hungarian painter trained in Paris, regarded as the father of modern Hungarian painting. His work blends naturalism, impressionism and symbolism in landscapes of exceptional luminosity.
How many works are on display in the exhibition?
The exhibition brings together nearly 140 works: landscapes, portraits, family scenes, biblical subjects, nudes and caricatures, drawn from the Museum of Fine Arts Budapest and the Hungarian National Gallery.
