Costantino Barbella

Costantino Barbella
Born	January 31, 1853 Chieti
Died	December 5, 1925 (aged 72)
Nationality	Italian
Education	Istituto di Belle Arti in Naples
Notable work	La gioia dell ' innocenza, La Canzone d'amore, La Confidenza

Costantino Barbella (Chieti, January 31, 1853 – December 5, 1925) was an Italian sculptor, known as il Michetti della scultura.

He began his career by modeling terracotta figurines for churches and Nativity Scenes (Presepe). In 1872, Francesco Paolo Michetti encouraged him to use stipend from the province to study at the Istituto di Belle Arti in Naples. He studied there with Stanislao Lista. He was highly prolific in creating small terracotta and bronze statuary, much of it depicting country folk dancing or in animated movement. He also made a few portraits, including of Pope Leo XIII. His work was exhibited throughout Europe, commonly winning awards. He was named cavaliere dell' Order of Leopold II of Belgium, honorary professor of the Istituto Reale di Belle Arti in Naples, and honorary academician at the Istituto di Belle Arti di Bologna.^[1][2]

Among his students was Argentinian sculptor Lola Mora.^[3]

The "Costantino Barbella" Museum of Art, is located in the Palazzo Martinetti Bianchi in Chieti.

Works

La gioia dell ' innocenza La Canzone d'amore (Expositions of Naples, 1877; and Turin, 1884) La Confidenza (Exhibition of Paris,1879) Alla fontana Tentativo Bacio Storia amorosa Paciera The departure of the Conscript and The Return of a Soldier (Galleria Moderna di Roma, 1883) Aprile (Galleria Moderna di Roma)

Contatrici Onomastico Canto d'amore (Song of Love) Partenza Ritorno Idyll Le amiche Su, su Soli Credi a me

References

1. Dizionario degli Artisti Italiani Viventi: pittori, scultori, e Architetti., by Angelo de Gubernatis. Tipe dei Successori Le Monnier, 1889, page 33.
2. Oxford Grove Encyclopedia of Art
3. Encyclopedia of Contemporary Latin American and Caribbean Cultures, edited by Daniel Balderston, Mike Gonzalez, Ana M. Lopez, 2002, page 994