Columns
These two columns made in statuary marble, called “Columns of the civil genius”, were works made by Edoardo Alfieri after winning the national competition in 1965. These columns are the result of a complex method; they are made by “bowstring” with a difficult interlocking technique for every single relief.
The dowels are a series of informalistic bas-reliefs that are embedded all around the cylindrical columns; the artist made even some smaller dowels to fill all the empty space.
The columns are 4 meters tall or 13’1’’ feet tall, and 1 meter or 3’2’’ tall and today can be found in the offices of the Ministry and Superintendency of Public Works in Via Finocchiaro Aprile in Genoa.
The chalk model 1:1 scale of one of the two columns was donated to the Sketch Museum of Pietrasanta where it is today preserved.
The archive has all the photos of the dowels and the two models that won the national competition.
Columns of the Civil Genius
Columns of the civil genius
1965-1968
Marble
Picture of the columns
Details of some of the panels
EDOARDO ALFIERI
All the photos and information are owned by the Alfieri-Maisano Archive and are subject to copyright.
It’s advised to always ask permission to the archive with every divulgation and publication of the material and, with the permission granted, to always quote the origins of the information, the Alfieri-Maisano Archive.
Stefania and Silvana Maisano
Contact us
archivioalfierimaisano@gmail.com
EDOARDO ALFIERI 