The San Miniato Project
donating a sculpture to the basilica of San miniato al monte in florence, italy
San Miniato Verso Il Monte
life size sculpture of the first Florentine Martyr
The Project
In 2026, I endeavored to cast this sculpture in bronze and donate it to the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte in Florence, IT. I created this sculpture of San Miniato from 2024-25 while a Graduate in Residence at the Florence Academy of Art, which gave me the opportunity to make personal artwork in a private studio. Once I had finished the sculpture, I thought of where it will go, and I thought there would be no better home than the church which is named after the same saint. So, I decide to offer to donate this work to the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte. Father Bernardo Gianni, the Abbot, kindly accepted the offer and granted permission to place the sculpture in the Cemetery behind the church. For my time and talent, I donated freely to the church that I love. However, In order to cast the sculpture in bronze I created a fundraising effort to help pay the foundry for the casting. We luckily raised the money to cover it. Clara Marinelli at Frilli Gallery aided in bringing this process about with her expertise in monumental sculpture and the Pneuma Art Foundation assisted with coordinating funds, so to them I am grateful.
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 Delle Porte Sante, behind the church. This city has become a second home and this church a place of welcome and worship. The story of the saint's life and martyrdom was very compelling to me and served as the inspiration for this sculpture.
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 and became the first martyr of Florence. 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 blessing ceremony
I completed the project by the goal: the Feast of San Miniato on October 25, 2026, the day of his martyrdom, and installed the sculpture first in the church then in the Cemetery. The monastic community welcomed me into the church for a beautiful inauguration and blessing ceremony on October 24, the vigil, and it was an incredible experience. Farther Bernardo spoke beautiful words about the history of the church, the story of the saint, and about the sculpture. He blessed the sculpture with Holy Water, making it not just an art piece, but a sacramental meant to aid the faithful in prayer and meditation. Then I had the opportunity to speak and share my thoughts, what inspired me, and the process of making and casting the sculpture.
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. I made it purely as a personal art-piece because of my fascination and love of his story and out of love for this city, Florence.
the Reduction
Below are photos of a Reduction of the Sculpture San Miniato verso il Monte which I sell for $6,000. It measures 50cm tall. This is 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.
to the florentine community
The city of Florence welcomed me as one of its own. It gives me great honor to offer this gift to the city I love so dearly. I recognize the importance of this ancient space to the community of Florence. I hope this gift is understood as a love letter to the community, the church, and the city.
