Francesco Nagni

Francesco Nagni (7 February 1897–11 July 1977) was a 20th-century Italian figurative sculptor, best known for the grave of Pope Pius XI in the Vatican.

He spent almost his entire life in Rome first studying at the Academy of Saint Luca.

He was involved in the artists group at Villa Strohl Fern in Rome.

From around 1940 he started to receive commissions from the Vatican and his work is now represented in St Peter's Basilica, His work would have requited multiple meets with both the Pope and other senior church officials.

[1] His works are not only on the public side within the church but notably includes the tomb of Pope Pius XI in the crypts.