István Nádler exhibition opened at Kiss Kunszt Gallery
A new solo exhibition by renowned Hungarian abstract artist István Nádler, the Seven Last Words, opened today at the Kiss Kunszt Gallery in Szeged. Marking Nádler’s first solo appearance in the city, the project offers a striking visual interpretation of Joseph Haydn’s oratorio The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross (also known as The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross), in dialogue with Péter Esterházy’s accompanying prose.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Gergely Dubóczky, artistic director of the Szeged Symphony Orchestra, followed by a special performance of Haydn–Esterházy–Nádler: Seven Last Words at the Kisszínház, a venue known for its focused, high-quality performances in Szeged. While the concert was a one-time event, the exhibition remains on view to the public.
Opening of the Seven Last Words exhibition at Kiss Kunszt Gallery on March 26, 2025. Photos by István Kuklis
Music and visual art have long been intertwined in Nádler’s practice, and this latest body of work continues that dialogue. The series of paintings reflects the structure and emotional arc of Haydn’s composition, created in response to its dramatic power. Using a minimalist visual language and expressive brushwork, Nádler’s pieces convey emotional depth and invite a meditative state.
“Haydn’s piece had long intrigued me visually,” Nádler says. “But it wasn’t until hearing a version in 2015 – featuring texts by Péter Esterházy – that I found the path forward. I approached the seven words as teachings, working through them as stages of inner transformation toward transcendence.”
Uniting music, literature, and the visual arts, Seven Last Words offers visitors a unique opportunity to engage with one of the most profound artistic meditations of the Lenten season.
In addition to the Seven Last Words series, the exhibition also includes 12 other works by István Nádler.
The prose texts by Péter Esterházy, which form an integral part of the artworks, are presented in Hungarian.
The exhibition is on view through April 30 at the Kiss Kunszt Gallery.
Additional Nádler works on show at Kiss Kunszt Gallery. Photo by Sz.M. / Szegedify
