Pericle Fazzini (13 June 1913 – 13 May 1987) was an Italian sculptor and painter. He is best known for his monumental bronze works, particularly “La Resurrezione” (The Resurrection), installed in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall, and for his contributions to post‑war Italian modernism.
Early life and education
Born in Varese, Italy, Fazzini studied at the Accademia di Brera in Milan, where he received formal training in drawing and sculpture. His early work was influenced by the traditions of Italian figurative sculpture as well as contemporary avant‑garde movements.
Career
Fazzini began exhibiting in the 1930s, participating in major Italian art shows such as the Venice Biennale. After serving in World War II, he resumed his artistic practice, increasingly focusing on large‑scale public commissions.
Key works include:
- “La Resurrezione” (1979) – a towering bronze group representing the resurrection of Christ, placed in the Paul VI Audience Hall of the Vatican.
- “Monumento al Partigiano” (1955) – a bronze monument honoring Italian resistance fighters, located in Varese.
- “Il Pensatore” (1963) – a bronze sculpture displayed in Rome’s Villa Borghese gardens.
Fazzini’s style combined robust, dynamic forms with a lyrical treatment of the human figure, often emphasizing movement and spiritual themes. He also worked in other media, including painting and drawing, though sculpture remained his principal focus.
Later life and legacy
Fazzini continued to receive commissions and exhibit internationally until his death in Rome in 1987. His works are held in numerous public collections, including the Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Lissone and the Vatican Museums. He is regarded as a significant figure in 20th‑century Italian sculpture, noted for bridging traditional figurative approaches with modernist expression.
