Juan Morel Campos (statue) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Juan Morel Campos |
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| Artist | Luiggi Tomassi Pietrasanta, Italy |
| Year | 1926 |
| Type | Marble |
| Movement | Beaux Arts |
| Condition | Pristine |
| Location | Plaza Degetau Ponce, Puerto Rico |
| 18°00′41.44″N 66°36′49.86″W / 18.0115111°N 66.6138500°W | |
| Owner | Municipality of Ponce, PR |
The Juan Morel Campos statue is a special monument in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It honors Juan Morel Campos, a famous Puerto Rican composer and master of the danza music style. You can find this statue in Plaza Las Delicias, a main square in Ponce. The statue stands on a big marble base, designed in a style called Beaux Arts. Inside this base, the remains of the composer, Juan Morel Campos, are kept.
About Juan Morel Campos
Juan Morel Campos was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He started learning music when he was just eight years old. He became very skilled at playing many different brass instruments.
Morel Campos helped start and direct the "Ponce Firemen's Band." This famous band was later renamed the Ponce Municipal Band. It is still playing music today!
He wrote over 550 musical pieces during his life. Sadly, he passed away suddenly at age 38. This happened after he had a stroke while performing with his band. He died on May 16, 1896. In December 1926, his remains were moved to be buried at the base of his statue.
About the Statue
The statue of Juan Morel Campos is made of beautiful marble. Its large base is also made of marble. An Italian sculptor named Luiggi Tomassi created it in Pietrasanta, Italy.
The statue was officially revealed to the public on December 12, 1926. Juan Morel Campos's remains are stored inside the statue's base. He was first buried in an old cemetery in Ponce. But in 1926, his remains were moved to the statue's location in Plaza Las Delicias.
Building the statue cost about $3,000 in 1926. That would be like spending about $50,000 today!
Artistic Recognition
In 2017, an artist named Frank Arias created a painting of the statue. It was an acrylic painting on canvas, measuring 16 by 20 inches.
