A leading figure of academic revival and monumental civic sculpture.

Stefano Galletti was one of the leading Italian sculptors of the 19th century, celebrated for his ability to blend classical rigor with romantic expression. Born in Cento in 1832, he trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna under Cincinnato Baruzzi (1796-1878), and later refined his skills in Rome at the Accademia di San Luca with Pietro Tenerani (1789-1869). These formative years shaped his approach to sculpture: technically masterful, yet emotionally nuanced.

Among his most iconic works is the Statue of Liberty (1876), commissioned by the Republic of San Marino. With its graceful stance and symbolic force, the piece exemplifies Galletti’s capacity to unite monumentality with elegance. Throughout his career, he created numerous religious and mythological figures, as well as expressive portraits marked by keen observation and refined modelling.

From 1899 to 1900, Galletti served as president of the Accademia di San Luca, affirming his central role in the Italian art scene. His works were exhibited widely and acquired by both public and private collections.

Galletti died in Rome in 1905, leaving behind a legacy of sculptural refinement. Today, his works are preserved in institutions such as the Pinacoteca Civica “Il Guercino” in Cento, where they continue to inspire for their formal clarity and emotional resonance. His art stands as a bridge between classical ideals and the evolving sensibilities of modern Italy.

Literature :

• A. Panzetta, Nuovo Dizionario Degle Scultori Italiani Dell’Ottocento e Del Primo Novecento, Turin, 2003, p. 422

• Paolo Campello, Demogoghi e conservatori al tempo di Cesare, ed altri scritti, Rome, 1882, pp.136-137

• O. Raggi, Della vitta e delle opere di Pietro Tenerani, Florence, 1880, p. 428