Column of the Immaculate Conception, 1890s

Column of the Immaculate Conception, 1890s

The Column of the Immaculate Conception or la Colonna dell'Immacolata, is a 19 century monument in central Rome, located in the Piazza Mignanelli, the south west extension of Piazza di Spagna. The monument was designed by the architect Luigi Poletti and commissioned by Ferdinand II, King of the Two Sicilies. The column was dedicated on December 8, 1857. The structure is a square marble base with statues of biblical figures at the corners that uphold a column of Cipollino marble. Atop the column is a bronze statue of the Virgin Mary, sculpted by Giuseppe Obici. The standard imagery of the immaculate conception is used: a virgin on a crescent, atop the world, stomping a serpent. The Corinthian column itself was sculpted in ancient Rome, and was discovered in 1777 during the construction of the monastery of Santa Maria della Concezione. At the base are four statues of Hebrew figures that gave portent of the virgin birth, each accompanied by a quote of a biblical verse in Latin, including David (by Adam Tadolini), Isaiah (by Salvatore Revelli), Ezekiel (by Carlo Chelli), and Moses (by Ignazio Jacometti). Detroit Publishing Company circa 1890-1900.

Album / LOC/Science Source

Model: No - Property: No
Rights questions?

4200 x 3050 px | 36.6 MB

35.6 x 25.8 cm | 14.0 x 10.2 in (300 dpi)