Romano Vio facts for kids
Romano Vio (born February 11, 1913, died August 23, 1984) was a talented Italian sculptor. He was born in the beautiful city of Venice and later taught sculpture there, sharing his skills with others.
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Early Life and Training
Romano Vio started his journey as an artist early. From 1932 to 1936, he studied and worked with Eugenio Bellotto at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice. This was where he learned many of the skills that made him a famous sculptor.
Key Moments and Achievements
Romano Vio had a long and successful career. Here are some of his important achievements:
- 1931-1935 - He began showing his sculptures at the Bevilacqua La Masa Gallery in Venice.
- 1935 - He won a Gold Medal at a national art exhibition in Genoa. His sculpture, "A Mother’s Dream," was so good that the Venice City Council bought it.
- 1938 - His work was chosen for the XIX Venice Biennale, a very important art show. He created a medal for Guglielmo Marconi, which was bought by the Milan City Council.
- 1939 - He won the “D. Fadiga” prize for sculpture in Venice.
- 1940 - He was again part of the Venice Biennale. He also became an assistant teacher at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice.
- 1941 - He won a competition to create the lion sculptures for the obelisk in Piazza del Duomo in Traù.
- 1945 - After serving in the military for 12 years, he returned home. He later received the Military Cross for his service.
- 1946 - He went back to teaching at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice.
- 1947 - He sculpted a bronze statue of St. Anthony for a church in Camposanpiero.
- 1948 - He won First Prize at the “Tempio” exhibition in Padua. He also created "Madonna degli Alpini" for Pieve di Soligo.
- 1949 - He was highly praised for his designs for the doors of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. His sketches are now in the Vatican Museums.
- 1953 - His bronze sculpture "Dana" was shown at the Turin Quadriennale. He also won the “Città di Pordenone” First Prize for sculpture.
- 1954 - He won First Prize with his sculpture "Jesus the Worker" in Assisi.
- 1955 - He won two First Prizes: one for "Our Lady of the Assumption" for a church in Vitinia, and another for a plaque honoring the Belfiore Martyrs in Venice.
- 1956 - He became a teacher of decorative sculpturing at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice. He also won national competitions for a monument to the Resistance and for a monument to the musician Umberto Giordano.
- 1956-1961 - His works for the Umberto Giordano monument were placed in Giordano Park in Foggia.
- 1958 - He shared First Prize at the Biennale of Sacred Art in Bologna.
- 1963 - He became a member of the Accademia Nazionale di San Luca in Rome, a very prestigious honor.
- 1964 - He completed the Monument to the Fallen in Arquà Polesine.
- 1970 - He made a copy of George Washington by Antonio Canova for the North Carolina State Capitol.
- 1971 - He completed a marble monument for industrialist Franco Marinotti in Torviscosa.
- 1972 - He created "Madonna di Fátima Manizales" for Columbia.
- 1978 - He created "Madonna del Carmelo" for the Carmini Church in Venice.
- 1979 - He created a large bronze statue of “Madonna and Child” for a church in Mestre.
- 1981 - He was made a Knight of the Republic, a special honor in Italy.
- 1982 - He donated a statue of St. Francis to the church of S. Nicolờ.
- 1983 - He completed several works before he passed away on August 23.
Romano Vio's Artistic Style
Romano Vio was known for his amazing technical skill and the emotional power in his sculptures. He was a "classic" artist, meaning he respected and continued the traditions of great Italian sculptors like Donatello and Canova. However, he also found ways to make his art new and fresh for his time. He focused on the human side of things, showing a deep understanding of people and events through his art. His work for the Giordano monument in Foggia is a great example of his unique vision of beauty.
Images for kids
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"The violent ones against the next one", a sculpture by Romano Vio.
