Morolo. Bust of Ernesto Biondi

On one of the buildings in the main square of Morolo you can recognize a bust and a plaque dedicated to the great sculptor Ernesto Biondi who was born in Morolo in 1854.

Ernesto came from a family of artisans who built weapons and were therefore familiar with metalworking, and from an early age he showed a strong inclination for drawing and art. His first work was a reproduction of the statue of San Cataldo who is the patron saint of the nearby town of Supino. The statue was destroyed in a fire.

After moving to Rome and some studies at the Accademia di San Luca, Ernesto Biondi immediately distinguished himself for the subjects he chose to represent. His republican and socialist spirit led him to represent the condition of the humble classes.

His works of him are found in Italy, in Chile where he made a monument in the capital Santiago of Chile and in Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Sculptures of him are found in various municipalities of the Lepini Mountains such as in the Fountain of the Shepherdess of Gorga, the Fountain of the Putti in Montelanico and the Monument to Ricciotti in Frosinone.

One of his travertine sculptures dedicated to the jurist Gaius is located on the facade of the Palazzo di Giustizia in Rome.

In 1900 Ernesto Biondi won the first prize (Grand Prix) at the World Exhibition in Paris for the bronze sculpture "Saturnalia", 10 life-size statues representing the ancient Roman festivals and which are now in the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome. His latest work is called 'the miserable recluses' and they are a group of 125 life-size girls, of which, however, only a few photographs remain.


Written by:
Claudia Bettiol

Engineeer, futurist, joint founder of Energitismo and founder of Discoverplaces. Consultant for the development and promotion of the Touristic Development of Territories specialising in...

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