Raffaello Romanelli

Who was Raffaello Romanelli?

Raffaello Romanelli was an Italian sculptor, born in Florence, Italy. His work includes many public monuments in honour of eminent Italians and others.

He studied with his father Pasquale Romanelli, who in turn had studied with the sculptor Bartolini. He continued his studies at the Florence Academy with Augusto Rivalta and Emilio Zocchi, both well respected academicians of the time. Romanelli later taught at the Academy. Raffaello's son was sculptor Romano Romanelli.

His works include the Monument to Carol I of Romania, located at Peleş Castle, a monument to Czar Alexander II in Russia, the bust of Benvenuto Cellini on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy, the equestrian Garibaldi Monument in Siena, Italy, a monument to John Wister in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or a monument to Alexandru Ioan Cuza, in Iaşi, Romania.

Romanelli Gardens in Kansas City, which contains several works by Raffaello, is named in his honor. Raffaello created the 1927 bust of Dante Alighieri on Belle Isle Park in Detroit.

He made the bronze equestrian portrait of General Louis Botha, statesman and soldier, on horseback which stands outside Parliament in Cape Town in South Africa.