BISTOLFI, LEONARDO. - Sculptor, b. at Casale Monferrato on 14 March 1859, d. at Torino on 2 Oct. 1933. From a naturalistic training he moved to an idealization of reality inspired by the sinuous elegances of the floral style and, especially in bas-reliefs, displayed a sensibility more pictorial than sculptural. Even when he undertook monumental themes (the Cross for the Orsini tomb) at Staglieno (Genova), the monument to Segantini at S. Maurizio, and that to Carducci at Bologna, he rarely attained the necessary sculptural and architectural synthesis. His works of sacred art, such as the Crucifix for the Brayda tomb at Villarbasse (1901), which, because its arms were not perfectly outstretched, was accused of Jansenism, convey the impression that he remained in some way outside the strict tradition of Catholic art. His output, however, by virtue of a certain spiritualistic vein, stands in open contrast to the materialistic taste then prevalent.
He was a senator of the Kingdom and held important public offices.