The first statue dedicated to a woman

On 15 September 2021, the first statue dedicated to a female figure, Cristina Trivulzio di Belgiojoso, was unveiled in Milan in the Piazza Belgioioso of the same name.

It is impossible to sum up in a few lines the life of Cristina Trivulzio di Belgiojoso, Italian patriot, writer, journalist and noblewoman.

She was born in 1808 in Milan and lived her life at the height of the Italian Risorgimento in which she actively participated.

Not much is known about her life as a child, the only information is found in some letters exchanged with her friend Ernesta Bisi, who was her drawing teacher and who introduced her to the world of “conspiracy”.

She married Emilio Barbiano di Belgiojoso on 24 September 1824, aged just 16.

The marriage did not last long, Emiliano ran off with another countess, but they remained friends until the end of their lives and never officially divorced.

Cristina was a revolutionary, supported the liberation movement and had to flee from the Austrian government, which frowned upon her.

She took refuge in the south of France with no possessions, no money.

She then arrived in Paris, making a living for a few months by teaching music and portraying famous people.

She managed to get back on his feet, always following his political struggle, until 1838, when Maria, daughter of an uncertain father, was born. From this moment on, he lived a period of isolation between England and Paris, finally returning to his home in Locate.

In Locate, she contributed by building kindergartens, a public warming house and donating his dowries to poorer brides. She also resumed his political struggle by supporting movements and insurrections in the cities of Naples and Rome, narrowly missing the 5 Days of Milan.

Over the years she gradually reduced her political struggle, devoting herself more and more to her daughter.

She died young in 1871 of pneumonia and was buried in Locate.

Source: https://www.cristinabelgiojoso.it/wp/ 

Photo: Marco Passaro