He was a Hungarian follower of the Munich school of genre painting, and a disciple of Mihály Munkácsy. He studied at the Munich Academy from 1880 and the Paris Academy from 1882. Between 1883 and 1889 he lived alternately in Paris, Munich and Budapest. His paintings originating from this period show the traits of realism and naturalism ("Vigil", Girls Harvesting"). In 1889 Pataky moved to Paris, where he worked in Munkácsy's studio; he also helped the great master in painting the giant composition "Hungarian Conquest". He regarded himself as a follower of Munkácsy; among other traits his sensitivity for the social issues and his preference the grim subjects are proof of this inspiration. In 1893 he returned to Hungary and settled in Alvinc.