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Equestrian Statue of Victor Emmanuel II

The Equestrian Statue of Victor Emmanuel II is a bronze work by Enrico Chiaradia and the architectural centre of the Vittoriano in Rome. Set above the Altar of the Fatherland and in front of the portico colonnade, it is the only non-symbolic representation in the monument, depicting the monarch himself. The marble base is carved with personifications of fourteen noble Italian cities, created by Eugenio Maccagnani, and decorated with symbols of the armed forces victorious in the wars of the Risorgimento. The statue weighs 50 tons, and its placement recalls classical traditions in which equestrian statues emphasized centrality, civic virtue, and martial excellence.

Victor Emmanuel II equestrian statue in bronze atop a stone pedestal against a blue sky.
The Victor Emmanuel II equestrian statue rises above its ornate stone pedestal.
July 2016 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Victor Emmanuel II equestrian statue on a white marble pedestal overlooking Rome under a clear blue sky.
The Victor Emmanuel II equestrian statue rises above the cityscape in Rome.
© · CC BY 3.0
Silhouetted rider on the Victor Emmanuel II Equestrian Statue against a cloudy sky.
The Victor Emmanuel II Equestrian Statue appears in dark silhouette against a cloudy sky.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
A low-flying airplane passes near the Victor Emmanuel II Equestrian Statue and a classical rooftop quadriga.
A historic photograph shows an aircraft flying past the Victor Emmanuel II Equestrian Statue in Piazza Venezia, Rome.
© Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
A giant equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II under construction in a workshop, with several men standing nearby.
Victor Emmanuel II equestrian statue being assembled in a Rome workshop.
May 1909 © Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Identification

TitleEquestrian Statue of Victor Emmanuel II
TypeEquestrian statue

Historical context

SubjectVictor Emmanuel II
Commissioned1889

Creator

Designer and commissionerEnrico Chiaradia
CompletionCompleted by Emilio Gallori after Chiaradia's death in 1901
Relationship to architectMaccagnani was much appreciated by Sacconi
City personifications sculptorEugenio Maccagnani

Materials

MaterialBronze
Bronze sourceCannons of the Royal Italian Army

Physical characteristics

Lower plinth decorationSymbols of the victorious armed forces of the Risorgimento: Engineer Corps, Navy, Artillery, and Cavalry
CompositionBronze equestrian statue on a marble base
Hoof length50 cm
BaseMarble base with carved personifications of fourteen noble Italian cities
Weight50 tons
Length10 meters
HeightAbout 12 meters

Location and ownership

Location within monumentAbove the Altar of the Fatherland, in front of the colonnade of the portico, at the architectural center of the Vittoriano
Uniqueness within the VittorianoThe only non-symbolic representation in the Vittoriano

Appearance

SymbolismEquestrian statues exalt the subject's warlike virtues and, by showing control of the horse, civic virtues and control over primordial instincts
Placement traditionIts central placement follows classical antiquity traditions for equestrian statues in front of colonnades, public squares, temples, or along triumphal streets

History and restoration

Source of plinth relief inspirationTrajan's Column
Pre-closing eventA lunch for 21 people was organized before the belly was closed