István Irsai (later Pesach Ir-Shay, Hebrew: פסח ער-שי , b. 1896 – d. 1968) was a Hungarian-born Israeli architect and graphic designer.
István Irsai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1896 |
| Died | 1968 |
| Education | Budapest University of Technology and Economics |
| Occupation(s) | Architect, graphic designer |
Early life edit
István Irsai was born in 1896 in Budapest, Hungary.[1][2] He learned how to play the violin as a child.[2] He served in the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War I.[2] He subsequently studied architecture at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.[1][2]
Adult life edit
Irsai started his career as an architect and graphic designer in Budapest.[2] He lived in Mandate Palestine from 1925 to 1929, when he designed the Hebrew font Haim.[1] During that time, he also designed stage sets in theatres as well as houses in the Bauhaus architectural style.[2] He returned to Hungary in 1929, where he worked as a graphic designer until 1944.[1]
Irsai was deported to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1944, but he managed to escape on the Kastner train.[1][2] He emigrated to Israel, where he was a graphic designer.[1][2] He designed posters for Modiano and Tungsram, among other companies.[2] He also designed Zionist-themed posters to promote the state of Israel.[2]
Death edit
Further reading edit
- Lob, Ladislaus; Rahe, Thomas; Sommerfield-Irsai, Miryam (2014). Postcards from Bergen-Belsen : Istvan Irsai and his graphic art. Celle: Stiftung Niedersachsische Gedenkstatten.
References edit
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