Among Bory Jenő’s representations of Saint Stephen, the ornamental fountain of Saint Stephen in Kaposvár deserves particular attention. It was erected on 25 September 1938, on the southern side of the Cathedral of the Assumption in Kossuth Square, to mark the 900th anniversary of the death of the king who founded the Hungarian state.
The architectural plans for the ornamental fountain were prepared by József Lamping, the stone-carving work was carried out by Imre Faludi, while the sculptural elements were created by Bory Jenő. The central element of the composition is the bronze relief figure of Saint Stephen. The ruler is shown seated on a throne, in a solemn and dignified manner, emphasising the historical role of the king who founded the state. The ornamental fountain was one of the significant works in Kaposvár created for the Saint Stephen commemorative year, serving both as a public decorative feature and as a site of historical remembrance.
The celebration of the time was a major social occasion. The town was festively decorated, and ecclesiastical and secular leaders, together with inhabitants of the surrounding settlements, took part in the anniversary commemoration. Nor was the placement of the ornamental fountain accidental: it was installed before the church’s walled-up southern portal, thus becoming a shared focal point of religious and historical memory.
A particular point of interest is connected with the work. According to contemporary accounts, one hundred porcelain copies based on the relief were also made as gift objects; today these are regarded as rare collectors’ pieces. Both the work in Kaposvár and the porcelain versions show that Bory Jenő regarded this representation of Saint Stephen as a work of particular importance.
Bory-vár is also connected with the history of the ornamental fountain. The original plaster model for the bronze relief visible in the public square has survived, and may now be seen beneath the arcades of the Hundred-Column Courtyard at Bory-vár in Székesfehérvár. The plaster model enables visitors to study at close hand the antecedents of the work’s creation and Bory’s work in forming its shapes. The bronze relief in Kaposvár, the porcelain copies and the plaster model preserved at Bory-vár together form a group of works that clearly illustrates the artist’s creative endeavours connected with the cult of Saint Stephen.