Saturnalia by Ernesto Biondi, Bronze sculpture in Palermo Botanical Garden, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Saturnalia by Ernesto Biondi is a bronze sculpture in the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden featuring six figures arranged in a dynamic composition. The work includes a priest, musician, gladiator, and additional characters grouped together to form a lively scene.
The work was created in 1907 by Italian sculptor Ernesto Biondi and faced a two-year customs delay before arriving in Buenos Aires. This lengthy transport hold-up significantly delayed its installation in the Botanical Garden.
The work depicts scenes from the ancient Roman Saturnalia festival, showing different social roles through detailed bronze craftsmanship. The arranged figures illustrate human encounters and the interaction of various characters from this historical celebration.
The sculpture is located in the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden and can be viewed while walking through the garden grounds. The site is easily accessible and positioned centrally among different garden sections, allowing visitors to discover the bronze figures naturally during their visit.
During Argentina's military dictatorship, this sculpture was deliberately covered with manure and remained damaged for five years. Restoration finally happened in 1984, marking a return to normal times for the artwork.
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