Szent István Király szobra

"The statue of Saint Stephen by Pál Kő, consecrated on Pentecost in 2001, stands on Gellért Hill in Budapest, in front of the rock chapel. The sculpture portrays Saint Stephen, Hungary’s first Christian king, standing next to his horse while holding a Romanesque-style church model in his hands. The model symbolizes his role in the establishment of Christianity in Hungary. The composition of the statue is unique, with the horse being the dominant figure in the scene. Instead of carving the horse in full, the sculptor envelops the animal in a shroud-like covering that reveals only its neck and head at the front, with its rear and tail exposed at the back. This creates a visual effect that emphasizes the horse’s mass in comparison to the relatively small figure of Saint Stephen. The figure of the king is portrayed as a young, somewhat fragile man, on the cusp of adolescence, his gaze pious yet somewhat melancholic. His knightly boots, with their long toes hanging loosely, add a touch of playful absurdity to the statue. The crown on his head is intentionally simple, with Byzantine influences, hinting at a historic, medieval aesthetic. The statue incorporates references to medieval imagery, particularly the depiction of the king as a church founder, a figure common in medieval miniatures. The combination of historical symbolism, the expressive form of the statue, and its location in front of the rock chapel makes it a compelling addition to the views and landmarks on Gellért Hill."