Ferencváros, Museum of the Applied Arts - Budapest, Hungary

Location:

GPS coordinates: Latitude 47°29'10", Longitude 19°4'6" (N47 29.17 - E19 4.1) Map

Statue of a medieval blacksmith in the lobby of the museum

The statue of the medieval blacksmith in the lobby or entrance hall of the Museum of Applied Arts ("Iparművészeti Múzeum) was created by Leo Fessler sculptor and Gyula Jungfer blacksmith artist in 1885. The statue was exhibited for a while, then it was placed on the wall of the Berzseny Street factory of the Jungfer company. After the World War II the craftwork was preserved for the posterity by the successor companies of the Jungfer company. In addition the followings can be read on the information board:

In 1882 there was a costume party for the artists in the old "Műcsarnok" (in English "Hall of Art", today Hungarian University of Fine Arts or "MKE") in honor of the Hungarian painter Mihály Munkácsy. The event was attended by Gyula Jungfer, the recognized representative and master of the Hungarian wrought iron works. His costume inspired the architectural sculptor Leo Fessler to create the statue of the medieval smith.

The imposing-sized figure is made of riveted embossed brass plates, it represents a proud master craftsman with a wrought-iron ornament in his hand.