SwissArtGallery · Documented identity

Tamás Konok

Born : 1930Died : 2020Documented citizenships : Hungary

The Hungarian painter and sculptor Tamás Konok (1930–2020) developed an abstract body of work in which geometric motifs, the study of line and space and, later, systems of signs are linked to a reflection on existence. He graduated from the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts in 1953, travelled to Paris in 1958 and settled there the following year. It was in the French capital that he discovered the possibilities of abstraction, notably through the works of Endre Rozsda and the sculptor Lajos Barta.

In his compositions, Konok uses various geometric motifs and develops several variations on them, with the aim of expressing transcendence. He discusses his work in connection with questions of existence and pays particular attention to the joint study of line and space, before also giving a place to systems of signs. In the final period of his work, a series of paintings arranges bands of solid colour into pyramids or other geometric figures; Pyramidal, dated 2017, is one example.

His first solo exhibition was held at Galerie Lambert in Paris in 1960; four years later, he presented a solo exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum in Rotterdam. In 1983, his works were included in the exhibition Geometrische Abstraktion at Galerie Schlégl in Zurich, alongside works by Albers, Morellet and Picabia. Retrospectives were dedicated to him at the Ludwig Museum in 1995 and 2021, as well as at the Ernst Museum in 2006. The exhibition Tamás Konok: Line & Space, presented at Annely Juda Fine Art from 20 March to 3 May 2025, is also dedicated to his work.

His works are held, among other institutions, by the Stedelijk Museum in Rotterdam, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Bern, the Kunstmuseum Winterthur, the Hungarian National Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest; in 2024, three of his paintings were acquired by the Centre Pompidou in Paris. His career was recognised, among other distinctions, with the Kossuth Prize, the Prima Primissima Award and the title of Chevalier of the French National Order of Merit.

This profile brings together identity references for Tamás Konok and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.

31 references are documented at Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer, Genève Enchères, Germann, Schuler, Dobiaschofsky. Each record links to its source; the amounts are not a general valuation of the artist’s work.

Works recorded at auction

Photograph : Genève Enchères · Enlarge image ↗

Genève Enchères · Lot 3480

Swaying

Oil on canvas

Original catalogue wording

Balancement
huile sur toile

Catalogue period : 2025-12-08

Published result : 400 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 500–800

Tamás Konok

Works recorded at auction

Swaying

Synthesis, 1982

Collage, 1982

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled, 1976

Spacing, 1981

Untitled, 1977

Untitled

Untitled

Watercolour relief, 1991

Untitled, circa 1970

Untitled, 1973

Untitled, 1974

Untitled, 1974

Untitled, 1973

Small village, 1965

Untitled, 1992

Untitled (In the park)

Untitled

Synthesis in squares, 1988

Untitled, 1975

Composition, 1975

Untitled, 1976

Untitled, 1973/76

Untitled, 1976

Painting on a grey background, III, 1974

Untitled

Untitled, 1986

Untitled

Geometric Composition

Sources and references

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