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Among The Italians, at the Stagliano

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I thought, because of my lack of posting, and the fact that's it's already December, that I would round things out for the year with the sculpture of the Staglieno Cemetery in Italy. I've already talked about several of the sculptures there (Bistolfi and Monteverde), but would like to continue because there are some amazing and awe-inspiring works there that I haven't touched on yet.

First, a tiny bit of history. The Staglieno Cemetery is in Genoa, Italy, which is on the gulf of the Liguarian Sea in Northern Italy (waaay north of Rome). The full name for it is the Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno. The original design was made when Napoleon declared that no one should be buried in churches or towns anymore. It really was a work-in-progress for many years, constantly changing men-in-charge and adding expansions. There are many family tombs here, mostly rich people who could afford to hire artists to create monuments for them. At least they spent their money on something beautiful, something that added and didn't detract from the world.

Beautiful pic from The Archivist
This little gem has been titled Personification of Sorrow. Adolph Apollini, the sculptor, also designed of lot of Italy's coins during his time. I love this sculpture, and how the angel's dress drapes over her and over the stone steps. Knowing a sculptor myself, that would be incredibly difficult and time consuming, but it turned out beautiful.

From Forensic Geneology
Eternal Drama is another sculpture by Giulio Monteverde (guy who does the angels with the I-can-see-through-you eyes). An amazing allegorical sculpture of life and death. My favorite part in this is the butterfly perched on the woman's head. A tiny detail signifying eternal life. It might mean something different to you, but that's what I see in it. I also see a struggle, that death is a necessary part of life.

Last Kiss, pic from Forensic Geneology (they're awesome!)
Last Kiss by Luigi Orengo is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that especially speaks to me. As I've watched my mother-in-law struggle to find life again without her husband, I can't imagine actually going through that myself. I have seen brothers lose brothers, daughters lose fathers and mothers, and mothers lose sons, all in the matter of several years. When my grandfather passed away, I kissed his forehead, and even though the chill and stillness of his skin gave me a shock, I'd do it again if I had to go back. It was the last kiss I ever gave him. I also can't help thinking of my husband when I look at this. I hope that day is really, really far away.

The Vision of Death, image from Hidden Glasgow
By G.B. Lavarello, another allegorical sculpture that speaks of the constant life and death situation we find ourselves in, something that communicates to all of us because none of us can escape it. We all have our time on earth. I love the subtlety of this one, her small gestures and fixed gaze on the skull.

Because this post covers only four of the works, I'd like to continue this next time. Until then, enjoy what you've discovered so far!
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