This year, 2016, I had the honor of being commissioned by the Szent István Király Museum (King Saint Stephen Museum) in Székesfehérvár to create a large-scale, exceptionally elegant art book.
As part of the project, I was responsible for all the photography of the artifacts, as well as the cover design and the overall visual identity of the book, while the page layout was carried out by Csilla Szőllősi on behalf of the museum.
The book was created to accompany the permanent archaeological exhibition at SOLLIUM REGNI, an impressive new museum complex built in 2023. The exhibition showcases Árpád-era stone artifacts from the medieval Hungarian coronation basilica.
Monumental archaeological relics carved from marble and limestone, intricate patterns, and the weight of history permeate both the exhibition and the book.
My challenge was to capture this rich, layered atmosphere in the design of the book. This ultimately led to the use of a stylized interpretation of the Romanesque basilica's intricately carved portal on the cover. In terms of production, recessed gold foil stamping seemed the most fitting choice, lending the subject the dignity and gravitas it deserves.
The interior design of the book is equally focused on showcasing the artifacts. On the chapter title pages, a rotated typographic composition introduces a subtle touch of modernity, while the use of a classical serif typeface set in capitals pays homage to the monumental inscriptions carved into some stones.
