Description
The mini statue follows the classic Kolodko design language: the cast bronze figure portrays the prince with a characteristic thick, curling Kuruc mustache, wearing a cloak and a feathered cap. The small figure rests directly on top of a monumental, naturally shaped stone block, just above the spring's spout. The bronze figure's facial expression is simultaneously proud, dignified, and subtly ironic.
Story
The mini statue was first placed in 2020 at the Rákóczi Spring (Rákóczi-Quelle / Rákóczibrunnen), located in a forested area near Landshut, which has been named as such for centuries. After an unknown perpetrator simply snatched the statue, Mihály Kolodko recreated the piece with the help of the Consulate General of Hungary in Munich. Outfitted with a reinforced and much more secure mounting, the new "Mini-Rákóczi"—sporting a jaunty mustache—was returned to its stone block pedestal in May 2021.
Fun facts
- • The Rákóczi Mystery: Although locals have named the spring and the adjacent path (Rákócziweg) after the prince for centuries, historical research suggests that the ruling prince himself most likely never visited this exact location in person. The naming was presumably inspired by the Rákóczi family's Bavarian diplomatic correspondence.
- • The Survivor Statue: This is one of the few foreign Kolodko statues that was completely reproduced and replaced by the artist due to pressure from fans and diplomats following a successful theft.
- • Jaunty Pose: The figure of the prince does not stand rigidly; instead, he sits casually, proudly, and quite dashingly on the edge of the stone block feeding the spring.
