Grande Ferro R, Contemporary sculpture at Pala De André, Ravenna, Italy.

Grande Ferro R is a 1990 iron sculpture by Alberto Burri on the piazzale of the Palazzo Mauro De André in Ravenna. Commissioned by Raul Gardini through architect Francesco Moschini with Carlo Maria Sadich, it evokes a theatre scene and the overturned hull of an abandoned ship facing the lidi. Its red colour was restored in 2024.

Alberto Burri made the Grande Ferro R in 1990 for the piazzale of the Palazzo Mauro De André in Ravenna. It was commissioned by Raul Gardini through architect Francesco Moschini, with architect Carlo Maria Sadich collaborating. In 2024 a restoration returned the work to its original appearance, notably the red colour of the structure, with the Comune di Ravenna and the Fondazione Palazzo Albizzini Collezione Burri.

The sculpture uses industrial materials typical of post-war Italian art and contributes to a modern artistic dialogue with urban spaces. The work reflects a broader movement toward abstract composition that has positioned Ravenna as a significant location for contemporary creativity.

The sculpture stands on the piazzale of the Palazzo Mauro De André, so it can be seen from outside without entering the building. It is an outdoor work, accessible in any season and at any hour. The 2024 restoration, supported by the Comune di Ravenna and the Fondazione Palazzo Albizzini Collezione Burri, restored the red colour of the structure.

The form of the structure suggests an overturned ship hull, creating a symbolic connection to Ravenna's maritime past. This visual link bridges the city's rich seafaring history with its contemporary artistic direction in an unexpected way.