Leonardo, Raphael, Cranach, Rubens, Rembrandt, Poussin, Dürer, Monet, Chagall, Picasso, and Schiele--these and other great European artists are represented in this superb book, which showcases one of Europe's finest but lesser-known art collections, that of the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest. The museum was formed in the 19th century by the Hungarian government, with the aim of creating a public collection through the acquisition of private collections. The most significant of these, the Esterházy collection, included important Old Master paintings and fine Old Master drawings. Building on the Esterházy works, the museum has continued to acquire European art dating from the 14th to the 20th centuries. 

Over 200 works from the collection are reproduced here alongside a selection of works from the Hungarian National Gallery. Texts by eminent scholars explore the history of the museum and include entries on each work.
David Ekserdjian is professor of art history and head of the Department of History of Art and Film at the University of Leicester, England. He was previously at Christie's and was editor of Apollo magazine from 1997 to 2004. He is a trustee of the National Gallery, London.