Monument to Nicolai Demidov

The monument was commissioned by Nikolai Nikitich Demidov’s (1773-1828) sons, Paul and Anatoly, to honour their father, the Russian statesman, diplomat, and later �migr� to Florence. Bartolini worked on the monument from 1830 until his death in 1850. After his death, his pupil Pasquale Romanelli continued the monument till it was inaugurated in 1870. Initially the monument was planned for the Demidov’s Villa San Donato, but Paul gifted it to the commune. Florence seeking to update itself as the capital of Italy, was expanding its public parks. The architect Giuseppe Poggi utilized the monument for this park that he had landscaped just south of the Palazzo Serristori where Demidov had once resided.

The main statuary group shows Nikolai embracing his son, while Gratitude lies by their side. At the four corners are allegorical groups depicting: Mercy; Siberia with the god Pluto; the Muse of Festivals; and the Truth as it revealed to Art. Below the statues a bas-relief depicts the death of Demidov. At the rear is the coat of arms of the family. Giuseppe Martelli designed the roof, which protects the statue.