Have you seen her? The Sitting Girl statue, a bronze figure frozen in contemplation. She is more than just a statue. She embodies a complex history.
The Sitting Girl statue’s story began with Imre Csikász, a Hungarian artist. He created the original sculpture in 1932. Later in 1954, the statue found its home here. The statue is a bronze figure of a sitting girl. She sits upon a stone base that is 35 cm high. The statue is 110 cm tall.
The original of this work is in the Kiscelli Museum. The museum lies within a park. The Sitting Girl statue invites reflection.
Budapest’s history is full of twists. The Liberty Statue is a reminder of this. It stands on Gellért Hill. The statue was designed by Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl in 1947. She holds a palm leaf in her hand. It symbolizes victory and peace.
Originally, the Liberty Statue was called the Liberation Monument. It honored the Soviet Army’s victory over German forces. After the socialist regime fell, the monument was altered. A statue of a Soviet soldier was removed. The inscription was changed to reflect Hungary’s independence.
Erzsébet Gaál modeled for the Liberty Statue. She was spotted by the sculptor in 1945. He sought a woman with a beautiful posture. Erzsébet posed for ten days holding a palm frond. She received no payment for her work.
Erzsébet’s life took a tragic turn. She faced public scrutiny after the statue was unveiled. The government used her for propaganda. Later she was forgotten. She died in poverty in 1989. Her grave reads “Here lies the model for the statue of liberty.”
The Sitting Girl statue is a reminder that statues can hold different meanings. The Little Princess Statue also has an interesting background. László Marton created it. His daughter inspired the work. He saw her playing in a princess costume. The statue became a symbol of Budapest. There are copies of the statue in Tapolca and Tokyo.
As you observe the Sitting Girl statue, think about the layers of history that surround it. Consider the artists, models, and political forces. This statue has its own story. It is a story of liberation and strength.