Benczúr Gyula: The Baptism of Stephen I, King of Hungary (1875)

(Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest, Hungary)

King Stephen I of Hungary is regarded as the founder of Hungary and one of the most important statesmen in the history of Hungary. He was the last Grand Prince of the Hungarians and the first King of Hungary. In a series of wars he united all the Hungarian tribes and laid the foundation of the state of Hungary and was crowned as king of Hungary with a crown sent by Pope Sylvester II. According to the legend he was baptized by the saintly Bishop Adalbert of Prague and was given the name of Stephen (he was born as Vajk). Stephen Stephen was Canonized on 20 August 1083 by Pope Gregory VII and is the Patron saint of Hungary. This painting is from 1875.