Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri is a public artwork by Italian sculptor Ettore Ximenes, located in Meridian Hill Park in Washington, D.C., United States. The bronze statue stands on a granite base and depicts Dante Alighieri, the Italian poet and philosopher widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures of the Late Middle Ages. The idea for the monument was led by Italian American businessman and newspaper publisher Carlo Barsotti. The original version is in Dante Park in Manhattan, while the Meridian Hill Park example is a replica. Its dedication in Washington, D.C., was attended by officials from Italy, France, and the United States, including President Warren G. Harding.
© NPS Photo · Public domain
1924 © Harris & Ewing, photographer · Public domain
© National Photo Company Collection · Public domain
© National Photo Company Collection · Public domain
© National Photo Company Collection · Public domain
Identification | |
| Title | Dante Alighieri |
| Type | Bronze statue |
Historical context | |
| Condition assessment | Inspected in 1994 and found to be in good condition |
| Proposed relocation | In 1923, a move to the intersection of 16th and Mt. Pleasant Street NW was planned but canceled because the Francis Asbury Memorial was to be erected there |
| U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit date | May 21, 1924 |
| U.S. Congress acceptance resolution date | February 14, 1922 |
| Flags used at unveiling | American and Italian flags |
| Unveiled by | Clarence Caldwell and Minnie Elizabeth Sherrill, children of Clarence O. Sherrill |
| Benediction | Cornelius Thomas, rector of St. Patrick's Catholic Church |
| Opening prayer | Alfred Harding, bishop of Washington |
| Speakers at dedication | Barsotti; Italian Ambassador Vittorio Rolandi Ricci; former French Prime Minister René Viviani; Cuno Hugo Rudolph, president of the Board of Commissioners |
| Ceremony attendees | Officials from Italy, France, and the United States, including President Warren G. Harding and First Lady Florence Harding |
| Ceremony description | Described as an 'international love feast' |
| Dedication context | Hastily planned to coincide with a conference on disarmament attended by Italian government officials |
| Dedication occasion | For the 600th anniversary of the poet's death |
| Dedication date | December 1, 1921 |
| Completion date | 1921 |
| Purpose | Erected as a tribute to Dante Alighieri and presented as a gift to Italians in the United States |
| Initial plan | In 1912, the monument was planned to celebrate the anniversary of Italian unity |
| Context | Created in connection with plans in Europe and the United States to memorialize the 600th anniversary of Dante's death |
Creator | |
| Fundraising | Carlo Barsotti of the Italian-language newspaper Progresso launched a subscription to finance the monument's creation and inauguration |
| Commissioning idea | Spearheaded by Italian American businessman and newspaper publisher Carlo Barsotti |
| Commissioned by | The New York branch of the Società Dante Alighieri |
| Artist nationality | Italian |
| Artist | Ettore Ximenes (1855–1926) |
Discovery and provenance | |
| Replica cost | $20,000 |
| Replica foundry | Roman Bronze Works |
| Cast location | Washington, D.C. |
| Original statue | The original monument is in New York, near Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, in Dante Park, Manhattan |
| Replica status | The Meridian Hill Park sculpture is a cast copy of the original New York monument |
Physical characteristics | |
| Pose | Standing full-length, appearing deep in thought and preparing to take a step |
| Clothing | Long robe and pointed shoes |
| Headwear | Laurel wreath |
| Object held | A copy of the Divine Comedy held in both arms at his proper right side |
| Signature | Signed by Ximenes on the proper right side of the bronze |
Materials | |
| Primary material | Bronze |
| Base material | Granite |
| Foundry mark | Stamped on the rear of the figure with the mark "Roman Bronze Works N.Y." |
Iconography and meaning | |
| Associated anthem | An anthem praising the design was written by Giovanni Pascoli with music by Ruggero Leoncavallo |
| Stylistic comparison | Somewhat similar to the Dante monument in front of the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Florence |
| Model praise | Giovanni Pascoli said it was the best representation of Dante he had ever seen |
| Subject | Dante Alighieri, the medieval Italian poet, writer, diplomat, and philosopher |
| Intended meaning | To show in tangible form the Italian American community's love, devotion, and loyalty to the United States |
Location and ownership | |
| Maintenance responsibility | The National Park Service oversees maintenance of federal parks in Washington, D.C. |
| Park artworks | One of several artworks in Meridian Hill Park, including the Serenity statue, the Joan of Arc statue, the James Buchanan Memorial, and the Noyes Armillary Sphere |
| Related artworks | One of three public artworks in Washington, D.C. depicting Dante; the others are Eminent Men of Letters and a marble statue in front of the Casa Italiana Language School |
| Ownership | Owned and maintained by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior |
| Access features | A sidewalk leads up to the sculpture, with benches on either side |
| Specific location | East of the Cascading Waterfall, in the area nicknamed the Poet's Corner |
| Current location | Meridian Hill Park, Washington, D.C., United States |
History and restoration | |
| Original statue dedication | 1921 |
| Permanent base designer | Whitney Warren |
| Permanent base installation date | April 1924 |
| Site designer | Horace Peaslee |
| Temporary pedestal | A temporary wooden pedestal was installed for the dedication ceremony |
| Front inscription | DANTE |
| Back inscription | DANTE ALIGHIERI; PRESENTED TO THE CITY OF WASHINGTON IN BEHALF OF THE ITALIANS IN THE UNITED STATES BY COMM CARLO BARSOTTI |