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Canapone

Canapone is the monument to Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany, in Grosseto, Italy. It stands at the center of Piazza Dante, the city’s main square, and is a recognized historical landmark. The statue commemorates Leopold II for the reforms he initiated in the Maremma region, especially in public health, land reclamation, and infrastructure development. These efforts were important in transforming the area during the 19th century. The name Canapone is a local nickname used affectionately by the people of Grosseto and refers to the Grand Duke’s light-colored hair, with canapo meaning “coarse flax.”

Canapone marble statue group with a standing male figure, seated woman, and two children
Canapone in Grosseto, showing the weathered marble statue group with figures of a man, woman, and children.
June 2007 © Vinattieri Matteo · CC BY 2.5
Canapone monument with a central standing male figure, seated female figure, and children on a tall stone pedestal in a town square.
The Canapone monument in Grosseto, showing the central figures and ornate pedestal in a public square.
December 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Canapone sculpture with a standing bearded man in classical robes, a seated woman with a baby, and a child at his side.
Canapone, a marble monument group showing a standing bearded figure with a woman and child.
December 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Weathered stone panel from the Canapone monument with an Italian inscription carved into a recessed section and colorful splatters on the surface.
Inscribed stone panel on the Canapone monument in Grosseto.
March 2014 © · CC0
Weathered stone plaque from the Canapone monument with Roman numerals and paint splatters.
Weathered stone plaque on the Canapone monument, marked with Roman numerals and traces of paint.
March 2014 © · CC0

Identification

TitleMonument to Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Typemonument; statue
SubjectLeopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany
DedicationDedicated to Grand Duke Leopold II of Lorraine
Common nameCanapone

Historical context

Model completed1842
Inauguration date1 May 1846
Installation datespring 1846
Public celebrationscontinued until 4 May 1846
Creation datebefore the middle of the 19th century
Commission oversightan official delegation
Commissioned bythe municipal administration of Grosseto
Commission date1836

Creator

ArtistLuigi Magi
Artist originAsciano
Sculptora sculptor from Asciano; name not given

Discovery and provenance

Related publicationLa Maremma personificata che narra le sue passate e presenti vicende
Pamphlet authorcanon Giovanni Chelli
Pamphlet dedicationdedicated to Leopold II

Physical characteristics

Formsculptural group on a high pedestal
Placementset on a high base with an inscription

Materials

Materialwhite marble; Seravezza-white marble

Appearance

Griffin figurea griffin biting the serpent
Snake figurea dying serpent crushed beneath the child’s feet
Second child figurea dying child resting his head on the woman's left thigh
Child figurea nude child in Leopold II's right hand, shown as joyful and older than the dying child
Woman figurea seated, sad-faced woman representing the Maremma
Central figure sizethe central statue is taller than the others
Depiction of Leopold IIdressed as an ancient Roman, calm and dignified, with a relaxed face, characteristic beard, and gaze turned to his left
Figure arrangementLeopold II stands at the center and supports a seated woman to his left while holding a nude child in his right hand

Iconography and meaning

Nickname origina local reference to Leopold II's light-colored hair; canapo means "coarse flax"
Allegorical subjectan allegory of Leopold II's role in the regeneration of the Maremma
Woman symbolismMaremma
Dying child symbolismthe suffering of the people of Maremma and the generations lost to malaria
Child symbolismfuture generations whose survival was secured by Leopold II's reforms
Serpent symbolismmalaria
Griffin symbolismthe city of Grosseto; the emblem in its coat of arms; the joint effort of ruler and community to overcome disease and promote progress
Overall interpretationsymbolic figures express historical suffering and civic rebirth; Leopold II is presented as having helped eradicate malaria and transform Maremma

Location and ownership

Urban planner/engineerAngiolo Cianferoni
Original use of nearby wellto supply water to nearby residences
Nearby infrastructure affectedan artesian well at the entrance to Via Ricasoli was decommissioned and buried during installation; its cast-iron superstructure was later relocated to Arcidosso
Original installation sitecenter of Piazza delle Catene, now Piazza Dante
Urban contextfocal point and culmination of the reorganization of the city's main square as part of a broader urban redevelopment plan
Current locationcenter of Piazza Dante, Grosseto
Locationcenter of Piazza Dante, Grosseto, Italy

History and restoration

Inaugurated bygonfalonier Guglielmo Ponticelli
Ceremonial attendeescivil, religious, and military authorities
Inaugural address delivered byDomenico Pizzetti, capitular vicar of the cathedral chapter
Celebration eventsmusic, horse races, fireworks, hot air balloon ascents, and a public lottery
Inscription"To the glory of Leopold II / this monument / as a reminder to future generations / of the gratitude / of a regenerated province / and of his immortal benefaction"

Significance

Historical significancehistorical landmark in Grosseto; a collective expression of gratitude for Leopold II's role in the regeneration of the Maremma, especially his reforms in public health, land reclamation, infrastructure, and efforts to combat malaria and improve living conditions
Commemorative purposea reminder to future generations of the gratitude of a regenerated province