Mihály Munkácsy (1844-1900) was a Hungarian painter who gained worldwide recognition for his realistic depictions of daily life and historical events. He is considered one of the most significant figures of 19th-century Hungarian art and his works continue to be admired for their technical skill and emotional depth.

Born as Mihály Lieb in Munkács, Hungary (now Mukachevo, Ukraine), Munkácsy grew up in poverty and faced many obstacles throughout his life. Despite these challenges, he was able to pursue his passion for art and eventually moved to Munich, where he studied under Karl von Piloty, a renowned painter at the time.

In the 1870s, Munkácsy moved to Paris, where he became associated with the Barbizon school of painters and developed his distinctive style. He is best known for his large-scale historical paintings, such as “Christ Before Pilate” (1881), “Ecce Homo” (1896), and “Golgotha” (1884-1898), which were widely praised for their meticulous attention to detail and dramatic intensity.