Giacomo Manzù was an Italian sculptor of the mid 20th century who revived many bronze sculptural traditions, particularly revitalizing figurative bronze sculpture through his refined realism and emotional depth. Although he was an atheist (often quarrelling with the Catholic Church due to his atheism and mocking sculptures of cardinals), Manzù was celebrated for his deeply expressive religious works, particularly those centred on the death of Christ.
Born in Bergamo, Manzù left school early to train with local craftsmen, learning woodcarving and metalwork—skills that later shaped his sculptural style. After a brief and unsuccessful attempt to establish himself in Paris, he settled in Milan in 1929, where an early commission led him to pursue sculpture full time. Manzù’s early work included nudes, portraits, and biblical subjects, initially influenced by Etruscan, Egyptian, and medieval traditions before adopting a softer, more impressionistic style inspired by Medardo Rosso.
A visit to Rome in 1934 marked a turning point, prompting a sustained focus on religious themes. Manzù’s series of cardinal figures, starting in 1938, became one of his most recognized contributions, blending solemnity with subtle sensuality. During World War II, his sculpture Francesca won the Grand Prix at the Rome Quadriennale. Manzù gained international acclaim with major commissions, including the bronze doors for St. Peter’s Basilica, completed in 1964. Honored with numerous awards, Manzù’s oeuvre and the emotional resonance of his works transcended the medium of bronze sculpture.
Manzù was made an Honorary Member of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1976.
