The monument to Andrej Kmeť was created in 1970 by the sculptress Alina Ferdinandy, the first female graduate of sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava. According to archival documents, investor for the project was the Municipal Administration of Monument Care. The monument to this important figure, the founder of Slovak museology, is surprisingly conservative in style, reminiscent of interwar monuments. It was probably created based upon the client's request and out of respect for history, rather than representing the artist's own creative approach or individual style. The work comprises a prismatic stele composed of natural stone, the upper section of which is carved to form a relief portrait. In addition to creating modern designer jewellery and structural objects, Ferdinandy devoted herself to traditional portraiture (Ján Jessenius, Ivan Krasko, Vladimír Clementis). The monument stands on a concrete platform that is clad with stone slabs and stepped at the front. 

The lower section of the block bears a carved inscription:  

Andrej Kmeť 

1841–1908 

Founder of Slovak museology 

Pioneer of Slovak natural science, history, and archaeology 

Archival documentation states that the monument was unveiled in 1971 on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of Andrej Kmeť's birth. Alina Ferdinandy experienced serious health complications from the mid-1960s onwards, succumbing to them in 1974. Based upon these biographical details, it can be assumed that someone else was commissioned to complete the monument – however, there is no reference to this in the sculptress's monograph published after her death (Denisa Kahounová, 1978).  

VB

Research status as of 31. 12. 2023.