Raffaello Romanelli embodies the refined legacy of Italian sculpture.

Raffaello Romanelli was one of the foremost Italian sculptors of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Florence in 1856 into a prestigious artistic family, he was the son of the celebrated sculptor Pasquale Romanelli. Following in his father’s footsteps, Raffaello trained at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence under the guidance of the eminent sculptor Augusto Rivalta. From an early age, he demonstrated remarkable skill in both marble and bronze, laying the foundation for a prolific and internationally acclaimed career.

Throughout his life, Romanelli participated in numerous major Italian exhibitions and received significant commissions for public monuments across Italy and abroad. Among his most notable works are the monuments to Garibaldi (1896), Donatello (1896) in San Lorenzo, Carlo Alberto (1900) in Rome, and Demidoff in Kyiv, Ukraine. His ability to convey both dignity and emotional expressiveness made him highly sought after, particularly for commemorative and allegorical works.

In 1887, Raffaello took over the direction of the Romanelli Studio, founded by his father in Florence. Under his leadership, the atelier flourished, producing original masterpieces as well as high-quality replicas of classical sculptures for an international clientele. His refined technique, exceptional attention to detail, and sensitivity to form and expression quickly established him as a master of his craft.

Romanelli’s sculptures are celebrated for their harmonious blend of neoclassical discipline and romantic sensibility, infused with a lifelike naturalism that continues to resonate with scholars and collectors alike. Whether monumental public commissions or intimate marble figures, his works reflect a technical virtuosity and artistic elegance that are central to his enduring legacy.

Raffaello Romanelli passed away in Florence in 1928, but his influence lives on through the Romanelli Studio, which continues to operate today—preserving the spirit and tradition of one of Italy’s greatest sculptural dynasties.

Literature :

• BENEZIT, E. Dictionnaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs. Paris: Librairie Gründ, 1961, vol. 7, p. 326.

• PANZETTA, A. Nuovo Dizionario degli Scultori Italiani dell’Ottocento e del primo Novecento. 3rd ed. Italy: Umberto Allemandi & C., 2003, vol. 2, pp. 782 & 816.

• THIEME, U. & BECKER, F. Allgemeines Lexikon der Bildenden Künstler von der Antike bis zur Gegenwart. Germany: E.A. Seemann, 1999, vols. 27/28, p. 547.