Augusto Passaglia

As a young man, he was awarded a stipend to study in Florence under Giovanni Duprè, and was active there for the remainder of his life.

He also sculpted a young Benvenuto Cellini, annoyed of having to play the flute for his father, lays the instrument on his stool, and stretches in an act of extreme disgust.

He also sculpted the marble tympanum that includes of a triangle of 6 meters, representing the seated Madonna surrounded by seraphim; at her feet is the immaculate lamb.

Around them are the Gonfaloniere and the Priories of the Florentine Republic (who ordered the construction of the church), Pope Callistus III; Christopher Columbus and his friend the franciscan father Giovanni Perez; Saint Catherine of Siena; and Pope Pius V. He also made two panels in the altar with Queen Ester and the prophetess Debora.

Passaglia was named professor of sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence, and knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy.