Statue of Dante Alighieri (Meridian Hill Park)

History

Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) was an Italian poet, writer, diplomat, and philosopher, regarded as one of the greatest literary figures of the Late Middle Ages. He is considered one of Italy's national poets and the father of the Italian language, best known for the Divine Comedy. His other major works include La Vita Nuova and Monarchia. Born to Alighiero di Bellincione and his wife Bella, Dante developed an early interest in poetry, influenced by the Sicilian School but forging his own vernacular style.

He fought in battles during the Guelphs and Ghibellines conflict and later served as a politician and Florentine ambassador to Pope Boniface VIII. After a new government took control, he was exiled by Cante dei Gabrielli and never returned to Florence, spending his remaining years traveling through Italy and France. Carlo Barsotti, an Italian American businessman and publisher of Il Progresso Italo-Americano, sought to donate an artwork to the United States on behalf of the Italian American community, expressing a desire to show love and loyalty to the nation.

With plans already underway for the 600th anniversary of Dante's death, sculptor Ettore Ximenes was selected to design the statue. The statue resembles the Dante monument in front of the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Florence.

Location and description

The statue stands in Meridian Hill Park, east of the Cascading Waterfall, in an area called Poet's Corner. A sidewalk leads to it, with benches on either side. It is one of several artworks in the park, including the Serenity statue, the Joan of Arc statue, the James Buchanan Memorial, and the Noyes Armillary Sphere. The bronze figure shows Dante standing, wearing a robe and pointed shoes, with a laurel wreath on his head.

He holds a copy of the Divine Comedy at his proper right side, appearing deep in thought and about to take a step. The statue weighs 3000 lbs, measures 8 ft tall and 3 ft wide, and rests on a granite base 6 ft tall and 4 ft wide. The proper right side is signed by Ximenes, and the rear bears the founders mark 'Roman Bronze Works N.Y.' The front of the base is inscribed 'DANTE', and the back reads: DANTE ALIGHIERI / PRESENTED TO THE / CITY OF WASHINGTON / IN BEHALF OF THE / ITALIANS IN THE / UNITED STATES BY / COMM CARLO BARSOTTI.