Marianna Costi's St. Francis Sculpture Launches 800th Anniversary Project
The project Sculture – Nuovi segni has launched at Parco delle Rimembranze in Celano, Italy, with a sculpture by Marianna Costi titled San Francesco riceve le stimmate. The work depicts St. Francis receiving the stigmata, shown in prayer on a rock, overwhelmed by ecstasy and fear. This is the first of ten sculptures by Italian and international artists to be permanently installed in ten different Italian cities throughout 2026, marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's death in 1226. The initiative is supported and funded by the National Committee for the Celebration of the 800th Anniversary of the Death of St. Francis of Assisi, chaired by poet Davide Rondoni, and is entrusted to RealizzArte, curated by Francesca Sacchi Tommasi of Etra Studio Tommasi in Florence. Rondoni also composed verses inspired by Costi's work, included in the article.
Key facts
- Sculture – Nuovi segni is a project celebrating the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's death in 1226.
- Ten sculptures by Italian and international artists will be permanently placed in ten Italian cities throughout 2026.
- The first sculpture, San Francesco riceve le stimmate by Marianna Costi, was installed at Parco delle Rimembranze in Celano.
- The sculpture shows St. Francis receiving the stigmata, kneeling on a rock in ecstasy and fear.
- The initiative is supported by the National Committee for the Celebration of the 800th Anniversary of the Death of St. Francis of Assisi, chaired by Davide Rondoni.
- The project is entrusted to RealizzArte and curated by Francesca Sacchi Tommasi of Etra Studio Tommasi in Florence.
- Davide Rondoni wrote a poem inspired by Costi's sculpture.
- Celano is in the province of L'Aquila, Italy.
Entities
Artists
- Marianna Costi
- Davide Rondoni
Institutions
- Comitato Nazionale per la Celebrazione dell’ottavo centenario della morte di San Francesco d’Assisi
- RealizzArte
- Etra Studio Tommasi
Locations
- Celano
- Italy
- Parco delle Rimembranze
- province of L'Aquila
- Florence
Sources
- Artslife —