Pietro Tenerani facts for kids
Pietro Tenerani (born November 11, 1789 – died December 16, 1869) was a famous Italian sculptor. He created art in the Neoclassic style. This style was popular for its simple, classic look, often inspired by ancient Greek and Roman art.
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Life and Art of Pietro Tenerani
Pietro Tenerani was born in Torano, a small town near Carrara, Italy. Carrara is famous for its marble quarries. As a young artist, he first learned from his uncle, Pietro Marchetti, who was also a sculptor.
In 1813, Pietro received a special scholarship. This allowed him to move to Rome and continue his studies. In Rome, he mostly trained in the studio of Bertel Thorvaldsen. Thorvaldsen was a very important Neoclassic sculptor.
Early Works and Style
In 1816, Tenerani created a sculpture called Abandoned Psyche. This beautiful piece was bought by a noblewoman from Florence. Pietro Tenerani became known for his pure and simple Neoclassic style. He often made sculptures about religious topics.
Famous Sculptures and Commissions
Pietro Tenerani was a very busy artist. He received many important jobs throughout his career.
Works for the Church
One of his biggest projects was creating the tomb for Pope Pius VIII in Rome. He also sculpted a huge statue of Saint Alfonso de Liguori for the Vatican. For the church of San Francesco di Paola in Naples, he made a statue of Saint John the Evangelist. He also sculpted Saint Benedetto for the Basilica Ostiense.
Tenerani created many busts, which are sculptures of a person's head and shoulders. He made busts of important church leaders, including Popes Pius VIII, Gregory XVI, and Pius IX.
Public and Private Sculptures
He sculpted portraits of Count Esterhazy and his daughter Karoly. He also made a special carved relief for the Monument to Alberto Mattioli. This monument was designed by the architect Luigi Poletti. It is located in the church of Sant'Agostino in Rimini.
Pietro Tenerani also sculpted busts of famous people outside the church. These included Pellegrino Rossi, a minister to Pope Pius IX. He also sculpted Carlota of Mexico, who was an empress.
His work can be found in different countries. He created a public statue of Simon Bolivar for Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota, Colombia. He also made a bronze statue of Ferdinand II of Naples for the city of Messina in Sicily. In Hungary, he sculpted a monument for the Karoly chapel in Foth.
Students and Legacy
Pietro Tenerani taught many students who became sculptors themselves. Some of his pupils included Saro Zagari, Fedele Caggiano, and Ambrogio Zuffi. His son, Carlo Tenerani, became an architect.
Pietro Tenerani was buried in the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Rome.
Images for kids
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Pietro Tenerani: Monument to Clelia Severini (1825), San Lorenzo in Lucina, Rome
See also
In Spanish: Pietro Tenerani para niños
