Fontbonne Centennial Collection
Preview
Description
This plaster study of The Founding Spirit was donated from Wydown House by Fontbonne President Dr. Nancy Blattner.
Commissioned to commemorate the 350th anniversary of our the Sisters of St. Joseph and Fontbonne College's 75th anniversary, The Founding Spirit reaches upwards, holding a book to the heavens. She represents the Sisters of St. Joseph, teachers and mother St. John Fontbonne, who re-founded the order after the French Revolution.
The bronze sculpture was created by Rudolph Torrini, who was an internationally recognized artist and professor emeritus of art at Fontbonne. A number of Torrini's work can be found in the area, including the Italian immigrant sculpture at St. Ambrose Church on the Hill and that of Pope John Paul II in front of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.
Contributor
Dr. Nancy Blattner