Monument to king Umberto I of Italy 

Achille D'Orsi's monument immortalizes King Umberto I in bronze, a choice laden with symbolism. The statue’s grandeur immediately calls to mind the Roman emperors, whose bronze effigies were erected to assert dominance and project power. The choice of bronze, reminiscent of ancient imperial statues, links Umberto to a lineage of rulers stretching back to antiquity. Note the seated figures at the base, seemingly burdened with untold weight. Here, we see echoes of Michelangelo's figures, embodying the *pathosformel* of melancholy. This posture signifies not just sorrow but a deep, existential contemplation, a motif that traverses cultures and epochs, expressing profound human suffering. The monument, therefore, is a complex interplay of visual quotations, resonating with historical and psychological undertones. The artist engages our collective memory, forging a connection between past glories and the present-day monarchy. It presents an image of power and solemn introspection, a powerful invocation of leadership.