He spent a short time in Munich and, upon returning to his homeland in 1848, briefly fought in the Hungarian Revolution. Two years later, he settled in Sopron and attempted to earn a living by painting portraits. Failing that, he moved to Pest, where he met and obtained the patronage of Count István Károlyi, who allowed him to stay at his palace in Fót. In 1855, with the Count's financial support, he travelled extensively; visiting Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Cyprus and Malta and returning with a huge portfolio of sketches, some of which he used as the subjects for paintings.