Tibor Pólya's link to The Angel Makers

There was a very active artists' colony in Szolnok during the Angel Makers' time.

Attorney Kronberg, a pretty good artist in his own right, used to carry a sketch pad in his briefcase. He was well-liked at the colony and was apparently very good friends with Tibor Pólya, a key member of the colony and one of Hungary's most revered artists of the day.

Kronberg, ever the strategist, used Pólya during his most critical days in the lead-up to the trials. The Feds were threatening to take over the investigation. Regent Horthy (head of state) was in Szolnok on the auspices of making an appearance at a big international trade show, but was really in town to talk to the governor about taking the whole matter to Budapest.

Kronberg knew this and hatched a plan with Polya. The artist agreed to “meet and greet” Horthy at the trade show. While the two were shaking hands and smiling for cameras — flanked by the governor and the high sheriff — who should happen to march up from the river but a long procession of women, all clad in black, gendarmes with bayonets in step beside, in front and behind them. 

Kronberg had ensured that the largest number of women had been arrested and brought on the boat from Nagyrev to Szolnok that morning, to be slowly paraded past a shocked crowd and a stunned head of state.

By that evening, 111 women were locked up in Szolnok. Within days, Kronberg would release nearly half of them, but his point had been made. The case would stay in Szolnok under his authority.

TIBOR Pólya: learn more about one of Hungary's most exceptional artists here: https://novembergallery.com/en/artists/134