Giacomo Manzù, la scultura a sbalzo e due inediti per l’Università di Padova

The sculptor Giacomo Manzù consistently experimented with various materials in the creation of his works, often employing a modus operandi wherein he entrusted the execution of his sculptures - of which he prepared the sketches - to a specialized artisan. In the case of copper, the artisan of reference was Attilio Nani. In 1942, when Manzù was commissioned by the rector of the University of Padua, Carlo Anti, to create two sculptures for the table of the Academic Senate designed by Gio Ponti, the sculptor chose to execute two works in embossed and chiseled copper. This article aims to reconstruct the hitherto little-known history of the commissioning of the two works and their elaboration ti provide an overview of the artist's operational mode, with a particular focus on metal plates, specifically copper, and the techniques of embossing and chiseling.