Bányai Balázs - Kovács Eleonóra (szer.): A"Zichy-expedíció"- Szent István Király Múzeum közleményei. A. sorozat 48. (Székesfehérvár, 2013)
The "Zichy Expedition"
202 THE “ZICHY EXPEDITION” “WE BUILT THIS STATUE FOR THE IMMORTAL SON OF THE MUSES” Right after finishing his studies in Germany, Jenő Zichy leaped right into the politics of the county and the state as well as into cultural life. On 15th July 1860 the academical delegation - with Ferenc Deák, Gábor Klauzál, baron József Eötvös and Jenő Zichy in its ranks - stopped in Székesfehérvár after unveiling the shrine of Dániel Berzsenyi in Nikla and the statue of Sándor Kisfaludy in Balatonfüred. In Székesfehérvár they were invited to a “public lunch” by the county and the citizens. It was there that the young Zichy proposed to the county and the town to erect a statue of Mihály Vörösmarty, “crowned poet of the nation” and an example to progressive Hungarians, who was born in the county and educated in the town. He also suggested the building of a permanent theatre and the establishment of a social circle that bears the name of Vörösmarty.73 The people present agreed eagerly with these suggestions and consequently count Jenő Zichy, count Ödön Zichy, count László Batthyány, baron Henrik Splény, dr. József Say and others turned to the Council of Internal Affairs to allow them to collect initiate donations for the statue. The Council of Internal Affairs did not doubt the loyalty of the initiators to the King, but fearing that this initiative would cause agitation against the court, refused the permission in July i860.74 The tides turned thanks to the softening political climate and György Majláth, the new president of the Council of Internal Affairs, issued the permission for the establishment of the Statue-Committee in January 1861. The Association of the Statue of Vörösmarty, with count Jenő Zichy as its president, was established in the same year.75 He entrusted baron Miklós Vay with the modelling of the statue and the association began collecting the necessary funds. By the end of 1862 many landowners in the county as well as citizens of Székesfehérvár donated respectable sums76 and the muster was soon completed.77 The assembly established another committee to “handle all the necessary affairs until the statue is erected” and named baron Henrik Splény, who was already actively engaged in this matter, as its president. He was assisted among others by János Fekete, notary of the Statue Committee and the treasurer Ignác Gebhard.78 All three and many other members were part of the ‘Fejérvári Casino’ (Casino of Székesfehérvár) as well. The representatives of the committee found the model “right in proportions... and the casting artistically perfect, it resembles the picture perfectly”, and thus the committee signed a contract with the sculptor.79 Two places were suitable for erecting the statue: the “square that falls to the Széchenyi street” and Megyeház square. The Association of the Statue of Vörösmarty favoured the former. Its plan was accepted by the town.80 The cornerstone of the statue was placed by baron Henrik Splény on 15th August
