Goda Gertrud: Holló Barnabás (1865-1917) szobrászművész - Officina Musei 23. (Miskolc, 2016)
The life and work of Barnabás Holló (1865-1917) There was a major economic growth in the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the period of the sculptor's work (1890-1914). Budapest, a developing metropolis at the time, gained its current image back then with such contributions as the creation of national monuments like Heroes' Square and Kossuth Square. An entire generation of sculptors were raised then due to the abundance of tasks. They studied at the local Academy and were consciously striving to immortalize great figures from the nation's past who previously lacked sculptures of their own. As rural towns became more middle-class, similar demands were made especially due to the upcoming celebration of the Hungarian Conquest's 1000-year anniversary which was held in 1896. Barnabás Holló was born 16 May, 1865, in Alsó-Hangony (near Ózd). His parents were impoverished nobility with a strong sense of national identity. They supported their children's artistic endeavours. With the aid from an earl, the orphaned Barnabás went to become an apprentice sculptor at the capital's Art Academy where his sister Ilona was already studying painting. He was the apprentice and later assistant lecturer of Alajos Stróbl, prominent artist of the era, whose recommendation got him the opportunity to create his first public works of art. These impressive reliefs can be seen in the city centre of Budapest to this day at the Palace of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Franciscan church (The founding of the Academy, 3 Nov. 1825 and Memorial plaque for Miklós Wesselényi). A good example for his soaring career is that by 1903, he completed a full-length bronze statue of Prince of Transylvania István Bocskai, commissioned by King Franz Joseph I.; it is displayed in the statue gallery at Heroes' Square, Budapest. Following his anniversary works which generally had a more academic approach, he made a statue of king Matthias I. with a more direct tone. The king is depicted wearing his royal cloak and regalia; however he is also leaning on a hoe, a tool used for viticulture. This is how the artist turned Matthias the Just, a popular figure of many folk tales, into a statue. This intimate, humane tone would become characteristic of his sculpture work. This is how General Artúr Görgey - on horseback with his head 94
