The San Miniato Project
San Miniato Verso Il Monte
life size sculpture of the first Florentine Martyr
The Project
To cast this sculpture of San Miniato in bronze and place it in the cemetery behind the church of San Miniato al Monte in Florence, IT.
The Story
I have always loved the Church of San Miniato al Monte and in my 5 years of living in Florence, I have visited many times, both the interior and the Cemetery behind. This city has become a second home and this church a place of welcome and worship. From 2024-25, I partook in the Graduate in Residency program at the Florence Academy of Art which gave me the opportunity to make personal artwork in a private studio. The story of the saint's life and martyrdom was very compelling to me and served as the inspiration for this sculpture.
Upon deciding to create this work, I met with Padre Bernardo Gianni, the Abbot at San Miniato al Monte, to ask him questions about the life of the saint, the legend, its meaning, and to receive his advice. Our conversation was informative and encouraging. Over the 9 month period of my Residency I produced this sculpture. I made it purely as a personal artpiece because of my fascination and love of his story and out of love for this city, Florence.
The sculpture
In Florence, Italy there is a 1000 year old church called San Miniato al Monte standing atop a hill overlooking the city. It is named after a saint who lived in the year 250 A.D. called San Miniato. The legend of his life tells the tale of a man from Armenia, possibly a merchant or a prince, who traveled to the ancient Roman Empire preaching the Christian message. After refusing to renounce his faith, he was executed. According to legend, he was decapitated but did not die. Instead, he bent over, picked up his own head, and walked out of the city to this nearby hill where he had a hermitage, and died there. This is the site where the church now stands.
For me, this story speaks of resurrection and eternal life, ideas which are both universal and deeply personal. The saint boldly ascends the hill as though ascending into Heaven. He is dead, but not dead. Rather he has New Life born in Christ. Blood pumps through his veins and his eyes gaze upward towards the Beatific Vision.
The Request
I have offered to make a donation of this work to the Church of San Miniato al Monte. Padre Bernardo Gianni, Clara Marinelli at Frilli Gallery, and I are working together to produce a bronze cast of this sculpture to place in the Cemetery behind the church. For my time and talent, I donate freely to the church which I love. However, we are searching for generous patrons to fund the bronze casting, which will cost 17,690 Euro. This is a completely charitable endeavor and I will not profit from this project.
To contribute
There are two ways to contribute to this meaningful project. 1) charitable donation, 2) purchasing an artwork.
1) I am partnering with the Pneuma Art Foundation for accepting and processing donations. For Americans, Pneuma is a Non-Profit entity 501c3 capable of receiving tax deductible donations. For Italians, Pneuma Italia is the sister-organization also capable of receiving tax deductible donations. Any charitable donation is received with Gratitude. Any donation of 5,000 Euro or above will grant your name on a plaque listing you as a donor. You may donate through direct wire transfer, Stripe, or Zelle. Please contact me through the Contact Form below for bank details.
2) Almost all of my artwork is for sale. If you purchase an artwork from me I will put the proceeds into funding this project. Specifically, I have produced a 3-dimensional reduction of this sculpture at 50cm high. This sculpture, cast in bronze, is for sale at X Euro. It would make for a perfect, prayerful devotional statue of the Saint to have in your home, like all good Sacred Art, to lead you into contemplation and meditation of the mysteries of faith. My other work is available in plaster or in bronze. Please reach out to me using the Contact Form below for inquiries and information. See my work in the “Gallery” section on this website.
The Installation
Our goal is to complete this project and install the sculpture in the Cemetery for the upcoming Feast of San Miniato on October 25, 2026. The bronze casting is already under way.
Cemetery of San Miniato al Monte in Florence, Italy
The Creation
This piece was made in the studios of the Florence Academy of Art after my graduation during the 9-month residency. It underwent many changes throughout the creative process by much searching. Below are images of the progress from beginning, intermediate, and to final stages.
the Reduction
Below is a photo of a 3D Reduction of the Sculpture San Miniato verso il Monte which I will soon cast in bronze and sell for X Euro. Proceeds from the sale will go to funding this project. What you receive is not exactly as in this photo; it will be a professionally produced bronze cast. It measures 50cm high. This is perfect as a devotional statue to put in your home and use for prayer and meditation.
