Hajós György: Heroes' Square - Our Budapest (Budapest, 2001)

The self portrait of Albert Schickedanz

urban development made by Frigyes Feszi in 1871 do not survive, existing documents describe a triumphal arch modelled on the Arc de I’Etoile in Paris to be made by the architect of the Vigadó (a traditional entertainment complex on the Pest embankment) and to stand at the City Park end of Sugár út. The original water colour, submitted by its maker Feszi in 1870 to the Committee of Public Works, has survived. In the picture the closure of the street is envisaged to feature a plinth surrounded by dragons and supporting a tall column with an Ionic capital topped with the equestrian statue of Árpád. (It may appear to be a somewhat bizarre idea to place an equestrian statue on a plinth atop a tall column.)

Wekerle decided to forgo a tender competition and invite sculptors Albert Schickedanz and György Zala to prepare the monument. Although several artists signed a document protesting against the decision and demanding a tender invitation, the prime minister would not

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