ROŃA, JOSEPH:
Hungarian sculptor; born at Lovas Berény Feb. 1, 1861. He was destined by his parents for a mercantile career, and studied at Kecskemét and Budapest; but he soon became a pupil in the studio of a sculptor, where he was obliged to do the most menial work, although hewas able to spend his nights copying sculptures. Receiving a state scholarship, Róna went to Vienna, where he studied for three years with Prof. Helmer; and in 1882 he entered the school of Zumbusch as royal stipendiary. In 1885 he gained the Roman prize at Berlin with his "St. Sebastian" and "Olympic Victory." After working for a time in Rome he went to Paris, and in 1886 he settled in Budapest.
Róna's most noteworthy works are: the statue commemorative of the War of Independence, at Ofen; the busts on the Lustspieltheater, Budapest; the mausoleum of Gen. Klapka; the equestrian statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy, in front of the castle of Ofen; and the statues of Louis Kossuth at Miskolcz, and Nikolaus Zrinyi at Budapest.
- Pallas Lex.
