The Sculpture Quarterly, published by the National Sculpture Society, has just released its Winter 2025 issue, featuring an in-depth article by Rose Fredrick on The Piccirilli Brothers. This timely piece arrives ahead of the much-anticipated release of The Piccirilli Factor, a documentary film by Eduardo Montes-Bradley. Produced by Heritage Film Project, the film was made possible with the generous support of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, and the Morris and Alma Schapiro Fund.
The Piccirilli Brothers Article
The story of The Piccirilli Brothers unfolds against the backdrop of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, which launched the City Beautiful movement—a transformative era for sculpture and architecture in the United States. This movement championed the belief that beauty in urban spaces could foster civic pride and harmony, giving rise to parks, buildings, and monuments that remain iconic symbols of cities across the country.
At the heart of this renaissance was a trinity of collaborators: architects, sculptors, and artisans. While architects and sculptors have often been celebrated, the artisans—the hands that turned visions into reality—have largely been overlooked. Eduardo Montes-Bradley's documentary, The Piccirilli Factor, shines a spotlight on one such family of artisans whose work was literally monumental.
The Piccirilli Brothers were master carvers whose artistry helped shape some of the most celebrated monuments in America, including the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the colossal lions guarding the New York Public Library. Their contributions were instrumental during one of the greatest periods of artistic and architectural renaissance in American history.
In a recent conversation with Montes-Bradley, he shared his passion for telling the story of “the most famous carvers most Americans have never heard of.” Through this film, he hopes to restore their rightful place in the narrative of America’s cultural and artistic legacy.
Pick up the Winter 2025 issue of Sculpture Quarterly to read Rose Fredrick's comprehensive article and discover the stories behind these extraordinary artisans. And mark your calendars for the release of The Piccirilli Factor, a film that promises to change the way we think about the monuments and memorials that define our shared history.
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