Jenő Szigeti was born in Budapest on January 30th 1881. He went to München in 1899 to study in the private school of Simon Hollósy, whom he accompanied to Nagybánya as well. The Nagybánya School was of determining significance for him. He painted Cézanne-style figural compositions in classicist mood just as well as expressive, breezy still-lifes emphasizing the structure of the forms. One of his paintings won the silver medal of the National Salon in 1919. Between 1928-1930 he went for a study trip to Germany, Paris and America. After returning home he worked as an art teacher for the National Israelite Training School for years. During these years - influenced by his friend István Nagy - he prepared a lot of pastel paintings depicting intimate village streets, rustic genre pictures. He was deported by the fascist Arrow Cross Party on 16th November 1944, and then he was sent to a German death-camp from where he never returned.