Angelo Nocchiero
Angelo Nocchiero is a Symbolist marble sculpture created in 1886 by Giovanni Scanzi. It was commissioned by Giacomo Carpaneto, a Cavaliere Mauriziano, as a funerary monument for the Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno in Genoa. The work depicts an angel standing upright on a small boat, fastening the sails at the end of a voyage. Together with Giulio Monteverde’s Angel of Monteverde, the Carpaneto monument became one of Staglieno’s most recognizable icons and was also featured in the cemetery’s official brochure in 2014.
© Giovanni Scanzi · Public domain
© Giovanni Scanzi · Public domain
© Giovanni Scanzi · Public domain
© Giovanni Scanzi · Public domain
© Giovanni Scanzi · Public domain
Identification | |
| Title | Angelo Nocchiero |
| Alternative title | L'Angelo Nocchiero |
| Alternative name | Angel Helmsman |
| Type | Marble sculpture; funerary monument |
| Style | Symbolist |
Creator | |
| Related works by artist | The Angel of the Resurrection for the Casella family tomb (1877), the relief for Elisa Falcone's tomb (1893), and other works at Staglieno |
| Artistic style at the time | Initially Realist, but by then also influenced by Symbolism, or more precisely 'l'iperdecorativismo eclettico' |
| Related sculpture | The Angel of Monteverde (1882) by Giulio Monteverde, commissioned by the Oneto family |
| Artist | Giovanni Scanzi |
| Artist origin | Genovese |
| Artist life dates | 1840–1915 |
Historical context | |
| Date of creation | 1886 |
| Commissioned by | Giacomo Carpaneto, Cavaliere Mauriziano (1811–1878) |
| Commission purpose | For the Carpaneto family tomb |
Discovery and provenance | |
| Model's early location | Sampierdarena |
| Model's later career | He started his own workshop and became a successful carpenter and wood carver |
| Connection to model | Scanzi met Delle Piane in Sampierdarena during his apprenticeship in a joiner's workshop |
| Model for the sculpture | Antonio Delle Piane (1868–1942) |
| Commissioner's title | Cavaliere Mauriziano |
| Family palace | Palazzo Centurione Carpaneto in Sampierdarena |
| Commissioner's identity | A well-known and respected merchant |
| Other person buried in tomb | Carpaneto's wife |
| Family origin | Sampierdarena |
| Intended location | Staglieno Monumental Cemetery, Genoa, Italy |
| Part of | Carpaneto family tomb at Staglieno Cemetery |
| Associated monument | Monumento Carpaneto |
| Associated family | Carpaneto family |
Materials | |
| Material | Marble |
| Inscription material | Bronze letters |
Physical characteristics | |
| Boat details | A small boat with a woman's face on the bow, agitated water beneath it, twisted ropes inside, and an embroidered cushion at the back |
| Subject | An angel helmsman |
| Drapery | The angel's drapery streams behind the figure, suggesting strong wind |
| Pose | Standing astride a small boat |
| Action | Securing the sails at the end of a journey |
Appearance | |
| Inscription translation | "Blessed is he who on the sea of life had so sure a guide" |
| Inscription placement | On the pedestal |
| Inscription | "Avventurato chi nel mare della vita ebbe nocchiero sì fido" |
Iconography and meaning | |
| Iconography | Angel-guide iconography |
| Interpretive meaning | Evokes the ferrymen of souls in ancient mythology and later tradition, who transport souls to the afterlife |
| Symbolic context | The boat is a familiar symbol in 19th-century Genoa, a seaport town |
| Interpretation | An image of the guiding angel |
Location and ownership | |
| Current location | Staglieno Monumental Cemetery, Genoa, Italy |
| Associated cemetery | Staglieno Cemetery |
History and restoration | |
| Restoration participants | Local restoration experts, societies, and private individuals |
| Preservation context | Part of efforts to preserve 'the largest outdoor sculpture museum in Europe' |
| Condition issues | Affected by industrial pollution, dust, mildew, theft of bronze and other materials, and vandalism, including breakage and defacement |
| Restoration process | The restoration began with dust removal to assess the statue, and local experts worked on it for several months |
| Restoration | Completed a full restoration in 2016 |
| Empress Elisabeth visit | Visited Staglieno in March 1893 in disguise as 'Lady Parker'; she reportedly stopped before the sculpture, appeared moved, and ordered the inscription copied into her personal notebook |
| Mark Twain source | Gli innocenti all'estero (1868) |
| Mark Twain description | He described the monuments at Staglieno as exquisitely accomplished, full of grace and beauty, with every outline perfect |
| 19th-century reception | Visited by Friedrich Nietzsche, Guy de Maupassant, and Mark Twain, who commented on the sculpture |
Significance | |
| Recognition | One of the most recognisable icons of Staglieno |
| Publicity | Appeared in the official cemetery brochure in 2014 |
Other | |
| Artist's early profession | Apprentice in a woodworking shop in Sampierdarena |
| Artist's later profession | Successful carpenter and wood carver |
| Commissioner's death | Scanzi began working on the tomb when Giacomo Carpaneto died |
| Artist age at commission | About 38 years old |