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Giuseppe Céracchi

Item

Title
Giuseppe Céracchi
Description
It is commonly rumored that Giuseppe "Joseph" Céracchi was born on the Island of Corsica; however, it is more likely he was born in Rome. He studied the Roman Neoclassical style at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome, where he was a student alongside Antonio Canova. Céracchi was a steadfast supporter of the revolutions in the United States and France. He arrived in the United States in 1791, with the intention of obtaining a commission for a monument depicting "American Liberty." While awaiting approval for the monument, Céracchi crafted several busts of American political figures. He did not secure the commission for his Liberty monument. Although he returned to America on several occasions thereafter, the political busts remain the most enduring aspect of his work in America. Later in life, Céracchi was convicted of conspiring to assassinate Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800, and he was subsequently executed by guillotine in 1801. Some sources have his execution date in 1802.
Location
Rome, Italy
Abstract
Giuseppe Céracchi was born in 1751 in Rome where he studied at the Accademia di San Luca. Céracchi was a supporter of the revolutions in the United States and France. Arriving in America in 1791, he created a series of busts of American founders while attempting to obtain funding for a grand monument of "American Liberty." He was executed via guillotine in 1801 due to his part in the plot to execute Napoleon Bonaparte.
Date Modified
1801/01/30
Relation
Bust of George Washington|220
birthday
1751/07/04
firstName
Giuseppe
lastName
Céracchi
Item sets
Artists