The portrait collection of the Counts Széchényi of Sárvár-Felsővidék: 1777–1924.
In 2024, we commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of Festetics Julianna, from the Festetics family of Keszthely—the mother of István Széchenyi, “the Greatest Hungarian.” Her role in Hungarian history had a profound impact not only on her own era but also on subsequent generations.
The Széchényi family’s invaluable library in Keszthely contains countless documents—books, pamphlets, letters, and more—closely connected to this highly intelligent and cultured noblewoman, who also had a strong interest in sciences and the arts.
Among these, the most remarkable item is one of the family’s most prestigious and impressive pieces: an album published in 1924 by Festetics Julianna’s great-grandson, Count Viktor Széchényi (1871–1945), landowner and Lord Lieutenant of Fejér County, with his support and financial contribution.
In a letter dated January 1908, Count Viktor Széchényi wrote:
“Dear Relative,
Let us remember the ancestors!
The poet exclaims this not without reason. From the memory of the ancestors, we draw examples, guidance, and inspiration for the future.
Much of the history of the Széchényis is still unknown to us; our family tree already becomes obscure in the 16th century. Research so far has been sparse or very superficial. Yet the few newly acquired facts undeniably show that there is ample room for further study.
Recently, several Hungarian noble families have had their histories written. The Széchényis, whose story is a living part of the Hungarian nation’s struggles, cannot fall behind.
Let us explore the past and, intertwined with the present, record it for our descendants.”
Historian, archivist, and librarian László Bártfai Szabó (1880–1964) wrote the family history in three volumes, published in Budapest between 1911 and 1926. Meanwhile, this representative illustrated album was published in 1924.
The top corner of the cover features the Széchényi coat of arms surrounded by the family motto:
“Si deus pro nobis, quis contra nos!” — “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (From Romans 8:31; the Rákóczi family motto was the same.)
Inside the binding, another family motto appears:
“The Christian Hungarian noble is called to God, his homeland, and his king; obedient, pious, brave, and true of heart!”
The first part of the album presents the family through engraved portraits resembling photographs. It begins with Count Ferenc Széchényi and his wife Festetics Julianna, followed by their sons who reached adulthood—Lajos, Pál, and István—with their families and descendants. Some images also depict the estates and castles where they lived. Later generations are shown in actual photographs.
Photographs of the Széchényi sons’ families are distinguished with separate coloring along the edges and labeled in the top-right corner of the page with L (Lajos), P (Pál), and I (István).
Count Viktor Széchényi wrote:
“I also attach a family tree extending to the youngest generation, to inform future descendants. (…) Future generations, take example from the ancestors and strive to surpass them in personal and patriotic virtues!”