A discreet commemorative plaque is dedicated to the memory of Franz Schmidt (1874–1939), a composer, organist, cellist, teacher, and member of the Vienna Musikverein, who was born in the former Reidner House on SNP Square. The house was later demolished, and in its place the Tatra Bank headquarters building (1922–1925) was constructed in historicist style based on a design by the architect M. M. Harminc. The building later housed Czechoslovak Television, and currently serves as the headquarters of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic and the Astorka Korzo '90 Theatre. 

Mounted on the side of the undulating façade that faces Uršulínska Street, the landscape-oriented bronze commemorative plaque is set between windows and directly above a plinth. The artist conceived the plaque in a highly conventional manner, combining a portrait relief with an inscription panel. To the left, bilingual Slovak and German text in embossed block letters provide basic information about the composer. To the right, a profile portrait in low relief is rendered using realistic artistic techniques. Below the plaque is a bracket for a wreath. Due to the work’s small size, damaged patina, and faint lettering, both the text and image are difficult to discern, and the elements blend into one another.   

While Bratislava exhibits this one neglected commemorative plaque dedicated to F. Schmidt, Vienna features a city park bearing his name with a bust by the sculptress Hilde Uray (13th district), a grand tombstone by André Roder at the Zentralfriedhof central cemetery, and several commemorative plaques.

NB

Research status as of 06. 03. 2024.