Monument to Gregory XVI by Luigi Amici, 1857
St. Peter's Basilica
Vatican City
Rome, June 2019
“The monument to Pope Gregory XVI was funded by the cardinals he created and is the work of the sculptor Luigi Amici (1817-97). Gregory XVI, the last monk to be elected pope, was one of the most reactionary figures to hold the office. He was fiercely critical of all modern developments, including the railways, about which he is reputed to have said, ‘chemin de fer, chemin d'enfer’ (road of iron, road of hell). The statues depict Wisdom, her head crowned by a flame, and Prudence with her attributes of a mirror and a snake. The relief illustrates the Propagation of the Faith. ” (Monument to Pope Gregory XVI, Walks in Rome)
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