Beneath the gaze of Vittorio Emanuele II, a silent story unfolds. The Vittorio Emanuele II Statue, a bronze giant astride his horse, commands attention on the Riva degli Schiavoni. This isn’t just a statue. It’s a time capsule, erected in 1887 to mark the tenth anniversary of the first king of a unified Italy. Ettore Ferrari, the sculptor, captured a moment of power. The king, sword drawn, incites his troops to battle. But look closer. The pedestal isn’t just a block of granite and Istrian stone. It tells a tale of Venice, of its struggles and triumphs. On one side, a battered, imprisoned Venice mourns its defeat. A broken sword lies at her feet, a Marcian lion gnawing at the chains of Austrian rule. On the other, Venice stands triumphant, arm outstretched in victory, a lion roaring its defiance as it shreds the Treaty of Vienna. The electoral results of the 1866 plebiscite, a resounding “yes” to unification, are etched into the scene. The monument’s sides depict pivotal moments in Italy’s fight for freedom. The Battle of Palestro, a hard-won victory against Austrian forces, unfolds in bronze relief. Opposite, Vittorio Emanuele II rides into a liberated Venice, welcomed as a hero. A low bronze gate, adorned with military motifs and intertwined rifles and swords, encircles the monument. It’s a reminder of the battles fought, the sacrifices made, for a unified Italy. Vittorio Emanuele II, the “Father of the Fatherland”, his bronze image forever frozen in a moment of triumph. The Vittorio Emanuele II Statue, a testament to a nation’s birth, a city’s resilience, and a king’s legacy.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to