The Statue of Liberty, one of the world’s most iconic monuments, has a surprising and profound link to a Florentine sculpture housed in the Basilica of Santa Croce. This lesser-known connection traces back to the 19th-century Italian sculptor Pio Fedi and his work honoring Giovan Battista Niccolini, a renowned poet, playwright, and patriot.
Niccolini’s Monument: A Masterpiece in Santa Croce
The Monument to Giovan Battista Niccolini (1782–1861) was sculpted by Pio Fedi, one of the most esteemed artists of his time. Niccolini, celebrated for his patriotic writings and role as a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts, was memorialized in this grand tomb located on the counter-facade of the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence.
Fedi, who admired Niccolini both personally and professionally, created this piece to honor the poet’s legacy. The city of Florence played a significant role in ensuring Niccolini’s remains were interred in Santa Croce, emphasizing his cultural and national importance.
The monument’s journey was not without challenges. Initially controversial, the piece required the removal of an altar to make space near the central portal of the basilica. Work began in earnest in 1872, and although completed in 1876, it was only inaugurated in 1883 in a ceremony attended by Florence’s leading politicians, intellectuals, and citizens, all recognizing the statue as a powerful symbol of Risorgimento ideals.
A Surprising Link to the Statue of Liberty
The Monument to Niccolini portrays an allegorical figure: the Freedom of Poetry, a classical-inspired representation of liberty. The figure holds a broken chain in one hand—a symbol of liberated thought—and crushes a fragment under her foot. This theme of emancipation and intellectual freedom resonated deeply with the spirit of the times.
The connection to the Statue of Liberty, created by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, lies in the striking similarity between the two sculptures. Bartholdi, who visited Italy during the 19th century, is believed to have been influenced by Fedi’s work. Both sculptures share key features:
- A raised arm extending toward the sky
- A crown adorning the head, symbolizing enlightenment
- Allegorical depictions of freedom
While the Statue of Liberty represents national independence and the enduring friendship between France and the United States, Fedi’s monument celebrates the freedom of thought and artistic expression.
Pio Fedi’s Statue on Display in New York
This connection gained renewed attention between 2019 and 2020 when a reproduction of Pio Fedi’s statue was exhibited at the Ellis Island Museum in New York. This display highlighted the shared ideals and artistic inspiration that linked Florence’s artistic heritage to one of America’s greatest symbols.
Why This Connection Matters
The link between the Statue of Liberty and the Monument to Niccolini showcases how art transcends borders and time. It also emphasizes Florence’s profound influence on global culture. Santa Croce’s hidden gem offers visitors not only a chance to explore a magnificent sculpture but also to discover its unexpected connection to one of the world’s most celebrated monuments.
