Fabbrica di San Pietro in Vaticano
Fabbrica di San Pietro in Vaticano
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Bertel Thorvaldsen
1770-1844
Monument to Pius VII
Work part's title
AngelWork part's title
AngelWork part's title
The Coat of Arms of Pius VIIWork part's title
Divine PowerWork part's title
Heavenly WisdomWork part's title
Pius VII
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Location
- Italy > Lazio > Rome > Vatican City > St. Peter's Basilica
Catalogue Number
AX392Catalogue Level / Collection
Thorvaldsen's Art > Thorvaldsen's Sculptures (AX)
Explanation
- Pope Pius VII was pope from 1800 to his death in 1823. Thorvaldsen’s monument to Pius VII was unveiled in St Peter’s Church in 1831. The aged pontiff sits on his throne with his tiara on his head. He is holding out his hand in blessing while looking straight towards us. On the other hand, the allegorical female figure on the right representing Divine Power, is looking emotionally up to Heaven, while the woman on the left, Divine Wisdom, is looking down, thoughtfully engrossed in the book, the Bible, which she is holding. Sitting at the centre, the Pope thus becomes the balanced conveyor of a message consisting of equal parts of Christian sentiment and Christian wisdom.
Version / Edition
Marble Version
Art Form / Craft
Sculpture
- European > Modernity (1800 - 1914)
Skabelsessted
Italy > Tuscany > Carrara
Commission Date
1823
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Acquisition Mode
Purchased from Bertel ThorvaldsenAcquisition Date
No later than August 1830