ANTONIO BORTONE (ITALIAN, 1844–1938), CIRCA 1870-1900

Professor Antonio Bortona was born in Ruffano, near the city of Lecce in southern Italy. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts of Naples, and became honorary professor of that Academy, as well as the Academies of Florence and Lecce. Notable commissions include statues of Saint James the Lesser and Saint Anthony for the Cathedral of Florence, a bust of King Victor Emmanuel for the façade of the Italian parliament and his Monument to Francesca Capece in Maglie.