The Miner

This sculpture was commissioned by Giovanni Azzarini for the funeral monument of his father, a wealthy businessman who made his fortune in Montevideo (Uruguay). The figure of a miner who, in a moment of abandon, leans his weight on a wheelbarrow is defined by a solid monumental structure and a careful anatomical study, particularly in the bust and shoulders, which are distorted with fatigue. Despite the tense plasticity of the piece, the bronze offers many opportunities for the interplay of light and shadow.

Starting from the 1890s, "Il Minatore" came to be known as an example of social art. The sculpture was exhibited in various cities throughout Europe, including Budapest, Paris, and Vienna.

The artist donated this large bronze work to the Galleria d'Arte Moderna 9 years after he conceived the original model; this work was a subsequent iteration of the original work.