Teodelapio, Steel sculpture at Railway Station, Spoleto, Italy
Teodelapio is a black steel sculpture standing in front of Spoleto's train station, rising 18 meters tall and spanning 14 meters wide. The work features geometric shapes arranged in an abstract composition that dominates the space before the station building.
The sculpture was created in 1962 for the Festival dei Due Mondi, when curator Giovanni Carandente invited Alexander Calder to make this monumental work. This commission was part of efforts to bring international contemporary art to the city.
The name references a Lombard duke from Spoleto that artist Alexander Calder discovered in old prints at Hotel dei Duchi. This local historical connection bridges modern art with the city's medieval past through its abstract form.
The work stands directly in front of the train station building, making it immediately visible upon rail arrival. The open plaza around it offers clear views from all sides and is easily accessible for visitors.
The steel plates used in the construction are one centimeter thick, a specification typically reserved for ship hull construction. This unusual choice gives the sculpture robust durability for exposure to weather and time.
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