Ponciano Ponzano facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ponciano Ponzano y Gascón
Ponzano by Federico de Madrazo (1841)
Born	19 January 1813 Zaragoza, Spain
Died	15 September 1877(1877-09-15) (aged 64) Madrid, Spain
Nationality	Spain
Occupation	Sculptor
Known for	Congreso de los Diputados

Ponciano Ponzano y Gascón (born January 19, 1813 – died September 15, 1877) was a talented Spanish sculptor. He worked in a style called neoclassical, which means his art looked back to ancient Greek and Roman styles. Ponzano was very busy and well-known during his time. Even though his work is not as famous today, you can still see many of his sculptures in public places.

Ponciano Ponzano's Early Life

Ponciano Ponzano was born in Zaragoza, Spain, on January 19, 1813. His father worked at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Luis. This meant Ponciano grew up surrounded by amazing artworks. From a young age, he loved to draw and paint.

Studying Sculpture in Madrid

Ponzano decided to study sculpture in the neoclassical style. He learned from a famous teacher, José Álvarez Cubero, at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid. In 1832, he won a gold medal for his skills.

Studying in Rome

The Academy of San Fernando was so impressed by a historical sculpture Ponzano made that they gave him a special scholarship. This allowed him to study in Rome, Italy. There, he learned from great sculptors like Bertel Thorvaldsen and Pietro Tenerani. He created some dramatic artworks himself. One of his pieces, Ulysses recognized by Eurycles, received excellent reviews. When he returned to Spain in 1838, he was recognized as a very talented artist.

Ponzano's Later Career and Famous Works

When Ponzano came back to Spain, he opened his own workshop in Madrid. He quickly became very busy, getting many requests for sculptures. He made busts, which are sculptures of a person's head and shoulders, for government officials and even the royal family.

Sculptor for the Queen

Ponzano was chosen to be the official sculptor for Queen Isabella II of Spain. This made his career even more successful. He created many reliefs (sculptures that stick out from a flat surface), statues, and memorials.

Decorating the Congress of Deputies

In 1848, Ponzano won a competition to decorate the front of the Congress of Deputies building. This is a very important government building in Spain. He also made two large bronze lions for the building's entrance stairs. These lions look very realistic.

Other Important Projects

In 1862, the Queen asked him to work on the Pantheon of the Princes at the Monastery of El Escorial. This was a big project, but he was not able to finish it. In 1871, Ponzano became a professor at the Madrid School of Fine Arts. He passed away in Madrid on September 15, 1877.

Ponzano's Artistic Style

During his lifetime, Ponciano Ponzano was considered one of the best sculptors from Aragon. He was well-respected and moved in important social circles. While his work was admired, some people later said it wasn't truly original. The neoclassical style he used was sometimes seen as less creative. However, his sculptures are still kept in private collections and public places like San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

Examples of Ponzano's Art

Ponzano created a large sculpture called The Flood. It shows a naked man carrying his mother on his shoulder to save her from a flood.

Sculptures for Public Buildings

For the front of the Congress of Deputies, Ponzano sculpted Spain as a woman embracing a young girl. This girl represents the country's government. Around them are figures that stand for ideas like Justice, Peace, Science, and Art. He also made the entrance for the church of St. Jerome in a neo-medieval style. Ponzano also decorated the main hall of the Central University in Madrid.

Portraits and Busts

Ponzano was often asked to create portraits. He made many busts, which are sculptures of a person's head and shoulders. These busts were often very realistic because he could focus on how people truly looked. Examples include his busts of Dr. Eusebio Lera y Aznar and José de Madrazo y Agudo. The Lope de Vega Theater, Valladolid also has a medallion with the face of Lope de Vega sculpted by Ponzano.

Gallery

• 

  A part of the main front of the Congress of Deputies in Madrid. The sculpture above the door was made by Ponciano Ponzano in 1864.

• 

  A close-up of one of the two bronze lions outside the Spanish Congress of Deputies building in Madrid.

• 

  Another close-up of one of the two bronze lions outside the Congress of Deputies of Spain building.

• 

  A detailed view of the main front of the Spanish Congress of Deputies building in Madrid.

• 

  A shared tomb in Madrid for six Spanish politicians. The sculpture of Liberty at the top was made by Ponciano Ponzano.

• 

  A sculpture of Mariano Lagasca y Segura (1776–1839) at the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid.

• 

  Another view of the sculpture of Mariano Lagasca y Segura (1776–1839) at the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid.

• 

  One of the two bronze lions found outside the Spanish Congress of Deputies building.

See also

In Spanish: Ponciano Ponzano para niños