Costantino Barbella (31 January 1853, in Chieti – 5 December 1925) was an Italian sculptor, known as il Michetti della scultura.
He began his career by modelling terracotta figurines for churches and Nativity Scenes (Presepe). In 1872, Francesco Paolo Michetti encouraged him to use a stipend from the province to study at the Istituto di Belle Arti in Naples. He studied there with Stanislao Lista. He was highly prolific in creating small terracotta and bronze statuary, much of it depicting country folk dancing or in animated movement. He also made a few portraits, including of Pope Leo XIII. His work was exhibited throughout Europe, commonly winning awards. He was named cavaliere dell' Order of Leopold II of Belgium, honorary professor of the Istituto Reale di Belle Arti in Naples, and honorary academician at the Istituto di Belle Arti di Bologna. Dizionario degli Artisti Italiani Viventi: pittori, scultori, e Architetti., by Angelo de Gubernatis. Tipe dei Successori Le Monnier, 1889, page 33.Oxford Grove Encyclopedia of Art
Among his students was Argentinian sculptor Lola Mora.Encyclopedia of Contemporary Latin American and Caribbean Cultures, edited by Daniel Balderston, Mike Gonzalez, Ana M. Lopez, 2002, page 994
The "Costantino Barbella" Museum of Art is located in the Palazzo Martinetti Bianchi in Chieti.
Works La gioia dell ' innocenza La Canzone d'amore (Expositions of Naples, 1877; and Turin, 1884) La Confidenza (Exhibition of Paris,1879) Alla fontana Tentativo Bacio Storia amorosa Paciera The departure of the Conscript and The Return of a Soldier (Galleria Moderna di Roma, 1883) Aprile (Galleria Moderna di Roma) Contatrici Onomastico Canto d'amore (Song of Love) Partenza Ritorno Idyll Le amiche Su, su Soli Credi a me
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