The Monument to the Fallen in Crema is a sculptural work by Arturo Dazzi, completed in 1924. The piece forms part of Italy’s wave of commemorative public monuments erected in the interwar period to honour those lost in the First World War.
Dazzi was a Carrara-born sculptor and painter who studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara and subsequently established himself as a major figure in Italian public art. By the early 1920s, he had secured significant commissions in the field of celebratory sculpture, including monuments in Rome inaugurated in 1922 and 1923. His practice extended to architectural collaboration: he worked with architect Marcello Piacentini on artistic decoration programmes for prominent state buildings, including the Banca d’Italia (1922–1923), the Arco della Vittoria in Genoa (inaugurated 1931), and the Palazzo di Giustizia in Milan (1939).
About Arturo Dazzi
Dazzi (1881–1966) trained under sculptor Lio Gangeri and won the Pensionato Artistico Triennale Prize in 1901. International recognition followed, including awards at San Francisco in 1915. He later developed a parallel career as a painter, making his debut at Rome exhibitions in 1927.
Details
- Creator: Arturo Dazzi
- Year: 1924
- Location: Crema, Lombardy, Italy
- Type: Commemorative sculpture
- Subject: Monument to the Fallen
Frequently asked questions
Who was Arturo Dazzi?
Arturo Dazzi (1881–1966) was an Italian sculptor and painter born in Carrara. He trained at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara and became known for major public commissions, including war memorials and work on prominent state buildings in collaboration with architect Marcello Piacentini.
When was this monument erected?
The Monument to the Fallen was completed in 1924, during the period when Italy commissioned numerous memorials to commemorate those killed in the First World War.
What other major works did Dazzi create?
Dazzi executed the Monument to Enrico Toti and the Monument to the Railway Worker in Rome (inaugurated 1922 and 1923 respectively), and contributed to the artistic decoration of the Banca d’Italia (1922–1923), the Arco della Vittoria in Genoa (1931), and the Palazzo di Giustizia in Milan (1939).
