Bernáth Aurél was born in 1895 in Marcali, Hungary. Following the advice of Ödön
Rippl-Rónai, a representative of Hungarian Art Nouveau, he began to focus on painting. Bernáth continued his studies in Baia Mare as a student of István Réti and János Thorma. In 1921, he moved to Vienna, where he began to paint in an expressionist, abstract style. In the 1930s, he returned to the traditions of the Baia Mare School of Painting, and in 1945 he began teaching at the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts. Over time, around the 1940s, the lyrical atmosphere of Bernáth’s paintings shifted towards cooler shades and a more rigid image.
Baia Mare Square is depicted by Bernáth Aurél in its wintry aspect, where nature hibernates in cold and dull colors, only the presence of the anthropomorphic reminding us of life. Through vibrant colors and fine details, the work illustrates an ordinary day in the center of Baia Mare. The distinctive architecture of the buildings, the outlines of the people, and the landscape elements blend a variety of textures and forms, creating a complex and lively picture. Through the use of light and shadow, the artist creates depth and dynamism in the image. “Baia Mare Square” presents urban life, diversity, and the energy that animates the city and its inhabitants
