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The acceleration of the social development and the Millennial Celebrations generated a booming art scene in Hungary at the end of the 19th century. The number of sculptures rose; were erected everywhere, and sculptural decoration on buildings became fashionable. János Fadrusz was one of the best sculptors of his time. He studied under Viktor Tilgner and later under Edmund Hellmer at the Viennese Academy. During his short career he hardly produced any smaller sculptures; he was mainly engaged in producing large-scale monuments. "Toldi Wrestling with the Wolves" was commissioned by the Buda Sport Association in 1901. This character from János Arany's poem was chosen to become a sport prize. The epic realism and robust force of Fadrusz's art, which had many connections with Hollner's ample monumentality, is well represented by this sculpture. Fadrusz also won recognition outside of Hungary: the Matthias monument in Kolozsvár was awarded the Grand Prix at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1900.
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