The Fontana delle Cariatidi is a monumental fountain located in Piazza dei Quiriti, in the Prati district of Rome, designed by Triestine sculptor Attilio Selva and completed in 1928.
The fountain was created following a national competition announced by Rome’s municipal administration in 1924 to furnish five city squares with monumental fountains. Selva’s design won the competition. The caryatid figures provoked considerable controversy in conservative religious circles, both for their nudity and their poses, which some deemed offensive. Initial disputes between the sculptor, the city administration, and Catholic associations escalated to the press. The planned inauguration on 21 April 1928 was postponed to 9 May as a result. The controversy subsided relatively quickly, particularly as the prevailing artistic patronage of the period favored the display of unclothed figures on public buildings.
About Attilio Selva
Attilio Selva was a sculptor from Trieste who achieved prominence through his success in Rome’s 1924 fountain competition, securing a significant public commission during the interwar period.
Details
- Creator: Attilio Selva (sculptor, Trieste)
- Year: 1928
- Location: Piazza dei Quiriti, Prati district, Rome
- Type: Monumental fountain with caryatid figures
- Context: Selected through 1924 municipal competition
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the fountain?
Triestine sculptor Attilio Selva designed the Fontana delle Cariatidi, winning a national competition announced by Rome in 1924 to create monumental fountains for five city squares.
Why was the inauguration delayed?
The planned inauguration on 21 April 1928 was postponed to 9 May due to controversy provoked by the nude caryatid figures and their poses, which offended conservative and Catholic groups. The disputes involved correspondence between Selva, city authorities, and Catholic associations, eventually reaching the press.
Where is the fountain located?
The fountain stands at the center of Piazza dei Quiriti in Rome’s Prati district.
