Viktor Olgyai

Viktor Olgyai, originally Viktor Matirko (1 November 1870, Spišská Nová Ves - 20 June 1929, Salzburg) was a Hungarian painter and graphic artist. His family's name was changed in 1892.

Biography His father was a retired district judge. When he was still a child, his family moved to Levoča where he attended the public schools and began preparing for a career in the priesthood. He was then admitted to the seminary in Košice and, as one of the best students there, was sent to study at the Pázmáneum in Vienna.

He returned to Lőcsé in 1890 and experienced a sort of epiphany while spending time in the nearby pine forests. He decided to take up drawing but, unable to achieve the desired effects with a pencil, turned to using a pen instead.

In 1891, he enrolled at the University of Budapest where he continued his linguistic and literary studies, but persevered with his drawing and sent one of sketch books to Artúr Tölgyessy, who encouraged him to pursue his interest in art.

He committed suicide while vacationing in Austria. Shortly after, a major retrospective of his work was held at the Hall of Art.