The Monument to Minerva stands in Pavia, a public sculpture created by Francesco Messina in 1938. Messina was an Italian figurative sculptor of the twentieth century, associated with the Novecento movement and its commitment to classical ideals in modern art.
Messina’s career gained momentum from 1922, when he began exhibiting regularly at the Biennale Internazionale d’Arte in Venice. Between 1926 and 1929, he participated in exhibitions organised by Novecento Italiano in Milan. In 1932, Messina relocated to Milan, where he secured a tenured professorship in sculpture at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in 1934, becoming its director two years later. His sculptural practice was characterised by classical procedure and an idealistic, grandiose manner. The Monument to Minerva exemplifies this approach, positioning the work within the broader context of Italian figurative sculpture during the interwar period.
About Francesco Messina
Francesco Messina (1900–1995) was born in Linguaglossa, Province of Catania, and spent his formative years in Genoa before establishing himself in Milan. His sculptures are held in major collections internationally, including museums in Bern, Zurich, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, Vienna, and Washington, D.C.
Details
- Creator: Francesco Messina
- Year: 1938
- Location: Pavia, Lombardia
- Movement: Novecento Italiano
- Type: Public monument
Frequently asked questions
Who created the Monument to Minerva?
Francesco Messina, an Italian sculptor associated with the Novecento movement, created the monument in 1938.
Where is the Monument to Minerva located?
The sculpture is located in Pavia, in the Lombardia region of Italy.
What artistic movement did Messina belong to?
Messina was an important figurative sculptor associated with Novecento Italiano, participating in the movement’s exhibitions between 1926 and 1929 in Milan.