In the new year, 2023, the Szekler Museum of Ciuc’s temporary exhibitions series is opened by the works of the painter Lajos Páll from Corund (Corund, 1938 – Odorheiu Secuiesc, 2012), thus the "objects of the month" series begins with a painting of his. In the fine art collection of the museum there are four paintings by the artist. In the 100x70cm, undated, oil on canvas work, chosen for the month of January, there is a characteristic theme that often reappears in his art, the atmosphere of which is at the same time suitable for the season and draws our attention to the exhibition that ca be visited between 12 January - 12 February and which showcases the Páll’s family collection, complemented with works from a private collection from Odorheiu Secuiesc.

The title of the painting is Physalis alkekengi, meaning the lantern flower or Jewish cherry as it is known to many. Not only in subject matter, but also in terms of image composition, it is a distinctive piece. Still life with a landscape, where the outside and the inside meet, the cold feeling of the snowy landscape of the Salt Land contrasts with the familiar interior that radiates warmth. A captivating play of foreground and background emerges, in which the framing divides the different spaces, but at the same time gives them transversality. The red of the lantern flower, which also resists frost, lights up the winter landscape, its colors echoing on the walls of the houses. The lifelessness of the dried flower, gives life to the image. Along with the burdock flower, this plant is a recurring motif in Lajos Páll's paintings, as is the image of the winter village, which is among his favorite subjects. But for him winter is never a metaphor for a cold, harsh environment, it has more to do with a familiar feeling. It gives us the opportunity to see more clearly, to turn our attention inward, as if framing our own personal space, enhancing the brilliance of colors and amplifying our feelings. With his creation, he invites us into this particular world, precisely marking our admiring position and, taking his place, allows us to approach the external world from a personal perspective, which ultimately belongs to us inseparably.